Raya Airways took delivery of its first B757-200 freighter on 12 October, making it Raya’s fourth Boeing freighter in addition to its B767-200F and two B727-200F. The B757-200F is part of the re-fleeting programme that will allow Raya Airways to offer newer and more efficient solutions to its customers and will also allow Raya to expand its network to other international markets and continue to offer customers a solution to their logistics needs, the Malaysian carrier said.
The delivery highlights the growing demand for capacity to serve Intra–Asian region in particular, with a commitment to operate a modern and efficient fleet. “This is an important step in keeping the revenue potential on the positive while controlling our cost levels,” the carrier added.
The B757-200F has a maximum payload of 32 tonnes with a maximum non-stop flight range of seven hours. The aircraft is well known to be superior to its current B727-200F in terms of fuel efficiency, operating costs, and payload capability. This includes a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption from new engines, plus an additional 10 per cent from aerodynamic improvements, versus its preceding B727.
The aircraft is suitable to transport freight of all kinds and can provide a temperature control range from 4° to 30° degrees Celsius, making it optimal for livestock and horses, perishables, pharmaceutical and humanitarian, and relief aid, on top of odd-sized cargo and oil and gas equipment.
Raya plans to expand its fleet to six aircraft by end of 2016, through the addition of another B757-200F and B767-200F, thus “reinforcing our position as one of the major logistics services provider in Southeast Asia,” it said.
Raya is prepared to enhance its network with these additions and plans to launch services to Japan, India, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China and Indonesia while adding frequency to Hong Kong and Singapore.
The carrier also plans to leverage on the increasing intra–Asia trade especially with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. Intra-Asia cargo movements are on the increase, especially with the migration of lower-end manufacturing from China to some of these countries. India’s growing pharmaceutical products, automotive and engineering products will be Raya Airways’ main targeted market segment, it added.
