KUALA LUMPUR: Raya Airways Sdn Bhd has welcomed the first Airbus A321 Passenger-to-Freight aircraft (A321P2F) in Southeast Asia, provided by Juniper Aviation Investments, a joint venture between ST Engineering and Juniper Aviation Investments.
Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a collaboration between ST Engineering and Airbus, carried out the conversion.
Raya Airways will be able to transport more than 27.5 tonnes of cargo every flight, with a maximum payload range of 6,080 kilometres.
Mohamad Najib Ishak, Raya Airways group managing director, remarked that the A321P2F's optimal efficiency and cargo capacity are in accordance with the company's strategic expansion aspirations to strengthen its position in the Asia Pacific region.
"The aircraft's high containerised cargo volume, space-efficient door configuration, balanced centre of gravity, and flexible cargo-loading system make it ideally suited to the diverse range of cargo we cater to.
"Such flexibility is instrumental in paving the way for a scalable and sustainable future for our company.
"The arrival of this aircraft signifies our commitment to providing efficient, sustainable and reliable air transportation solutions to our customers," he said.
Raya Airways' total fleet count will rise to six, boosting the carrier's ability to cater to a broader spectrum of clients, expand its network reach, and improve cargo handling capabilities.
Hidayat Rahim, Raya Airways' chief commercial officer, said that the e-commerce business is becoming more competitive, requiring the company to make appropriate decisions at all times.
"Our fleet plays a pivotal role in determining operational efficiency, and we are thrilled to announce that this fuel-efficient aircraft is the first of many to join our fleet.
"Over the past years, we have made significant efforts to establish our presence and penetrate new markets, even amidst adverse conditions.
"The leasing of such a fleet will enable us to tackle the upcoming year with increased confidence, affording us the ability to serve a greater number of customers, offer additional routes, and transport more freight," he added.
Raya Airways' dedication to growth is seen in the strategic upgrading of their international flight operations, which aims to strengthen their network and increase flight frequency.
The airline will considerably enhance international flights to and from Nanning, Singapore, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi in 2022.