ACIA Aero Leasing to Convert Four ATR 72-500s into Large Cargo Door Freighters for DHL Express

Inside an ATR72 freighters            Photo Solenta Aviation

ACIA Aero Leasing, a leading provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services, and Solenta Aviation, a South Africa-based leader in specialized aviation services, announced this week that the companies have further expanded their existing relationship with DHL Express.

As part of the expanded partnership, the world’s leading logistics company and international express delivery provider, which is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, agreed with ACIA to acquire and convert a fleet of four ATR 72-500 aircraft into Large Cargo Door (“LCD”) freighters and with Solenta, which runs the entire West Africa regional fleet on behalf of DHL Express, to operate these aircraft.

Mick Mooney, ACIA Aero Leasing CEO, asserted, “ACIA is exceptionally well positioned to deliver on this fleet renewal program for DHL Express alongside our partners at Solenta. The companies will leverage the ACIA Group’s proprietary intellectual property for LCD freighter conversion, owned by IPR Conversions, and extensive experience in delivering converted freighters to airline customers on time.”

Paul Hurst, Solenta Aviation’s Managing Director, added, “We are delighted to join forces with ACIA again to expand our long-standing partnership with DHL Express during such an exciting time for the air cargo industry. The renewal of this partnership is a testament to our track record in operating this key part of DHL Express’ route network in these challenging jurisdictions.”

ASL Aviation Holdings Signs Deal with ZeroAvia for Zero Emission Freight Operations

 

ZeroAvia will scale up its hydrogen-electric propulsion technology, already flight tested in six-seat PAX airframe and currently in advanced R&D for a certifiable 19-seat configuration

ZeroAvia, the leading innovator in hydrogen-electric zero emission powertrains, today announced that it has signed an agreement to partner with ASL Aviation Holdings in developing hydrogen-electric engine conversions for ATR72 aircraft. The project will ultimately include an order with ZeroAvia for converting up to 10 of ASL's owned ATR72 freighter aircraft to hydrogen-electric propulsion, resulting in zero emission cargo operations.

Under the deal, ASL Airlines Ireland will provide a retired ATR72F aircraft for the program development and subsequent use as a demonstrator. ASL will then convert a number of owned aircraft on its freight operations, resulting in the launch of zero-emission hydrogen-electric powered operations for the carrier from 2026 onwards.

ASL Aviation Holdings and ZeroAvia are members of the ASL CargoVision Forum, an initiative to drive innovation and sustainability in the air cargo industry. Working together in this forum, ZeroAvia and ASL aim to use ZeroAvia's new technology to  reduce emissions progressively in the regional sector where connectivity is a critical issue.