Express carrier partner ASL Aviation buys 747 freighters from lessor
Dublin-based ASL Aviation Holdings has purchased two Boeing 747-400 freighters to maintain long-haul cargo consistency while expanding its presence in the Australian market.
ASL Aviation Holdings, a logistics firm based in Ireland, has acquired two Boeing 747-400 freighter jets that were previously being utilized under lease agreements. According to FreightWaves, the purchase from Seattle-based lessor Altavair allows the company's Belgian subsidiary to maintain its current long-haul flight capacity. A spokesperson for the firm, Saoirse Claffey, stated that the acquisition was intended to avoid an "interruption in long-haul air transportation services" after the previous owner opted to sell the jumbo jets.
The transaction coincides with a broader strategic shift as the company grows its footprint in Australia and New Zealand. ASL is currently moving several narrowbody cargo planes from its European fleet to its Australian division to bolster regional operations. This expansion supports existing contracts with major logistics entities like FedEx and Qantas Freight. The company is currently managing the regulatory and staffing requirements necessary to integrate these additional aircraft into its Southern Hemisphere service network.
Operating a total fleet of 150 aircraft, ASL Aviation provides specialized transport for global e-commerce and express delivery giants including Amazon and UPS. The group maintains cargo subsidiaries across Europe and Asia, alongside a passenger service in South Africa. The recent move into the Australian market followed the 2023 purchase of Pionair, and the company has since begun utilizing facilities at the new Western Sydney International Airport to facilitate further growth in its Pacific freight operations.
Editorial Desk — Trade Flow Insight. Reporting and market notes compiled by the Trade Flow Insight editorial team.
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