MNG Airlines, which holds a significant share of the air cargo sector in Turkey, accelerated its fleet modernisation efforts last year. They invested in acquiring and converting two A330-300 aircraft in order to increase loading capacity and reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Last year, MNG Airlines added Turkey’s first passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft, A330-300P2F, to its fleet. In February, the second A330-300 aircraft was positioned to Germany for conversion.
MNG Airlines, which was established 25 years ago, holds a significant share of the air cargo industry in Turkey with its fleet of nine wide body aircraft. In addition to its scheduled flight network, MNG Airlines makes a valuable difference in air cargo industry by offering tailor made services which include flight, cargo and ground handling and also warehouse services. To meet the demands of different customers they believes in continuous improvement. Now, MNG Airlines aims to highlight Turkey in the air cargo market and expand its service and flight network with its experience.
MNG Airlines was the first Turkish company to invest in acquisition and conversion of the A330 aircraft into freighter in 2020 December. With its 61 tonnes of payload capacity, A330-300P2F aircraft has higher structural and volumetric capacity than their older generation aircraft and A330s are known to have reduced carbon footprint. Turkey’s first converted A330-300P2F departed from Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) Dresden facility on November 17, 2021 after seven month of conversion and joined the MNG Airlines’ fleet as TC-MCM. Since then, it has made numerous flights and carried tons of cargo efficiently. The second A330-300, TC-MCN, aircraft was sent off to Dresden, Germany for another conversion starting in February 2022.
The conversion process consists of five main phases. Passenger cabin is stripped off completely, fuselage and floor structure are reinforced, passenger doors and windows are plugged, a new wide cargo door is installed and all remaining systems are adapted to this new configuration.
At the end, comprehensive tests of all systems are carried out. Sedat Özkazanç, general manager of MNG Airlines, said, “I am delighted to send our second A330-300 aircraft to Dresden, Germany for conversion. As MNG Airlines, we increase our loading capacity on a “kg” basis every year with a focus on customer satisfaction and flight safety. I am proud on behalf of our country to be the first company in Turkey to invest in conversion project which will reduce our carbon footprint. I believe this number will increase every year with the expansion of our flight network and new aircraft joining our fleet. We are working on transformation plans for 2024 and beyond with our expanding flight network and growing cargo capacity.
