US-based air cargo carrier, 21 Air, is set to begin flights between the US and Mexico after gaining regulatory approval in mid-July.
The recent approval by the US Department of Transportation (DoT) gives it the ability to perform scheduled services carrying cargo and mail between the US and Mexico and intermediate points in-between. The service will be operated using a pair of B767 freighters with 21 Air currently in the process of adding B767-300 freighter aircraft to the fleet to satisfy what it says is “ongoing demand for diverse programmes”. These additions are in line with US Department of Transportation approval for 21 Air to grow its fleet to five wide-body aircraft.
The North Carolina all cargo carrier’s technical team is finalizing the training programme and applicable airline manuals in order to meet FAA regulations for such aircraft operations upgrade. As a result, 21 Air’s flight crews and operations personnel will undergo a 200/300 ‘difference training’ programme, the spokesperson adds.
Flight Operations with the B767-300F additions will include the certification for Category II and Category III operations along with qualifications for Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS). Flight programme with the added aircraft are scheduled for the fourth quarter and consist of a diversified segment portfolio including CMI, ACMI, and Interchange basis, the carrier says.
For the past 4 years since its inception, 21 Air has been providing charter, ACMI, and CMI services to major air cargo consolidators and global schedule operators, the carrier says. It currently operates a fleet of two B767-200ERSF with a B747-400F due to enter the fleet in December 2019. “We found 21 Air fit, willing, and able to engage in interstate charter air transportation of property and mail by issuing 21 Air a Certificate of Public Convenience authorising it to engage in interstate charter air transportation,” reads the DOT decision concerning the carrier.
21 Air also runs a 24/7 Operations Center with the around-the-clock hub enabling 21 Air to provide Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance (ACMI) as well as Crew, Maintenance, Insurance (CMI) services. 21 Air LLC specialises in worldwide Charter Operations.
