The conversion will be carried out by Empire Aerospace in Idaho, USA and is scheduled for certification and completion by Q1 of next year.
ACIA has acquired five ATR 72-600s for conversion and MSN1239 is the first to be converted.
The project was originally planned for 2022 but was postponed due to strong demand for the passenger variant.
Mick Mooney, CEO of ACIA Aero Leasing, says, “The demand for the 72-600 LCD has been there for some time as operators have been looking to renew their fleets with the latest technology. Along with our sister company, IPR Conversions, which owns the ATR conversion STC, we have the experience and capability to meet this operator demand.”
ACIA has delivered eight ATR 72 freighters, including six LCDs in the last 18 months including a Bulk Freighter Conversion to Pattaya Airways and 72-212 LCD to Aerlink.
Mooney says, “As the 72-500 variant becomes scarcer, it was only going to be a matter of time before the first ATR 72-600 underwent freighter conversion. It is strategic for ACIA and IPR as a group to be the first movers.”