Teleport, the innovative digital logistics venture backed by Capital A Berhad (formerly AirAsia Group Berhad), is set to bolster its operations with the delivery of its first Airbus A321F (A321P2F — passenger to freighter converted) aircraft this week. Two more A321F are expected to be delivered to Teleport later this year. The strategic move comes as part of the company’s ambitious plans to expand its fleet to a total of ten (10) A321F aircraft expected to be in service within the next 18 months.
The A321P2F is Airbus’ latest breakthrough in cargo aviation. This innovative aircraft offers a remarkable payload capability of up to 27 tons, making it a game-changer in the freighter segment. With a spacious main deck boasting 14 full container positions and an additional 10 container positions on the lower deck, the A321P2F sets a new standard for cargo volume in its category and generation.
Teleport has in its clientele the top 15 global freight forwarders, as well as three of Southeast Asia’s largest marketplaces: Shopee, Lazada, and Zalora. As part of the logistics company’s commitment to providing exceptional service to consumers, they recently unveiled Teleport Pink. This revolutionary product aims to transform regional express dispatch by providing next-day delivery from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Singapore at a fixed and affordable fee. With Teleport Pink, customers can enjoy the convenience of fast and reliable delivery, further solidifying Teleport’s position as a leader in the logistics industry.
“Today marks the arrival of the number one air logistics company in Southeast Asia. From a scrappy startup with humble beginnings in Malaysia, each day (676) Teleporters across seven countries work tirelessly to deliver more goods by air than anyone else in Southeast Asia. We saw our growth accelerate in the past 24 months, where we have scaled a company that is profitable and on track to generate US$200M in annual revenues — it is fitting to celebrate these milestones on the same day as the arrival of the first of three A321Fs this year,” according to Pete Chareonwongsak, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Teleport. Chareonwongsak added that within Teleport’s regional network, the Davao to Manila route is the number one in terms of volume.
One of the key advantages of the A321P2F is its abundant feedstock. With over 2,000 A321 passenger aircraft already in service, the availability of conversion candidates for freighter use is plentiful and will continue to be so for years to come. Airbus anticipates a strong market demand for approximately 950 aircraft over the next two decades, highlighting the growing popularity of P2F (passenger-to-freighter) aircraft conversions in the small freighter segment.
The recently-unveiled A321F of Teleport takes pride as Southeast Asia’s very first black freighter plane.
Launched in 2015, the A320/A321P2F conversion program is a joint venture between ST Engineering, Airbus, and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW). Leveraging their expertise and experience, the partnership aims to deliver top-notch engineering and certification support to ensure the success of the A321P2F project.
EFW, with its extensive experience in converting around 200 Airbus A300/A310 Medium Widebody aircraft and an increasing number of A330P2Fs, serves as the STC holder and takes the lead in managing the overall program and commercialization. ST Aerospace, having converted over 400 aircraft, is responsible for engineering development up to the issuance of the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) as well as the supply of conversion kits. Airbus, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), contributes technical data, certification support, airframe engineering, flight physics expertise, and the development of onboard computers.
The A321P2F is a significant addition to Airbus’ freighter product portfolio, which has been steadily expanding since the launch of the A330-200F in 2007. Alongside the larger A330F and A330P2F, the A320P2F and A321P2F complete the Airbus Freighter Family, providing airlines with enhanced flexibility and operational efficiency. Through Cross-Crew Qualification and Mixed-Fleet-Flying, airlines can achieve flight-crew and operational commonality across their Airbus freighter and passenger operations, capitalizing on the shared cockpit and systems philosophies. In addition, commonality in spares, processes, and procedures further streamlines operations and maintenance.
Boasting exceptional efficiency, the A321P2F sets a new benchmark for single-aisle freighters in terms of performance and capability. With its remarkable payload capacity, spacious cargo volume, and a range of benefits stemming from its integration into the Airbus Freighter Family, the A321P2F represents a significant leap forward in cargo aviation. As the most advanced single-aisle freighter available today, it promises to revolutionize the way goods are transported by air.