EDTO routes often offer a time advantage, PER-MEL v.v. springs to mind. PAE was doing this for a time for QF but non-EDTO. Was this a possible factor in them losing that work?

I think you’ll find the QF freighters are EDTO as are many other freighters operating in Australia. I can’t see the operators going to that expense if

A321PF taking over and only three months left to run on contract and out of cash. Airwork took a big look and walked after two weeks

The QF A321 isn’t doing so great either right now. Not fit for purpose I think. Too fragile an aircraft for a freighter. QF are working their 737-400F’S pretty hard still and Airwork are rumoured to be looking to add more aircraft too.

Genuine question- What's the difference between freight vs PAX with regards to a "fragile" aircraft? It seems to do less sectors as a Freighter.

Well, for starters, there's that big hole cut in the side- This effects the torsional strength of the aircraft and freight conversions often end up with cracking in unexpected places. The lighter the original build, the more susceptible to this. 737 -800 are actually showing fatigue problems the venerable -400 isn't.

Then there's the floor- takes an absolute pounding, so the tougher the original, the less wear and tear on the P2F.

THEN there's the fact they tend to be old airframes. Low utilisation, so using an older, cheaper aircraft makes sense even if it uses more fuel- complex aircraft like A321s have a lot mor gizmos to age and fail at inconvenient times.

How many people lost their jobs. How many were pilots.

Seems that there is a rush on to replace the previous capacity they had to PNG, Vanuatu and and Solomons using a French-registered A321P2F - https://www.iasc.gov.au/sites/defaul...ds-vanuatu.pdf

So they want to start in July 2022 and be fully "utilised" by 1 October 2020???

PAE weren't operating a schedule like this at all....

Same mob: https://seafarersrights.org/wp-conte...S_2002_ENG.pdf

Is there another 321p2f currently flying?
I was under the impression the qf freight 1 was the 1st 1 to be converted but guessing a few more have been done by now.

There are currently two companies offering conversions of the A321. ST aerospace in Singapore and also Precision Aircraft in the US, with their recently certified A321pcf.

Both have a number currently in conversion, including an ex JQ aircraft. ST have converted a handful so far that are flying in the US and Europe.

And now Pionair are throwing their hat into the ring, seeking allocations to fly BAe146 freighters to Vanuatu, New Cal, PNG and Solomon Islands: https://www.iasc.gov.au/sites/defaul...-june-2021.pdf.

Any updates on PAE?

Aircraft sold and heading east as I post

Is the company still operating?

Liquidated..

[QUOTE]Is the company still operating?/QUOTE]

Think not quite Liquidated.....yet, "just" under external administration....but aircraft - sold and gone, staff - gone, business??, business cred??

So TBM, in essence, yeah, may as well say liquidated for the life it has left.

Have to say though it was a beautiful freighter to see either parked or working on the ramp - Boeing used an artist to design that model for sure!!

[QUOTE=Square Bear;11166674]Company: PACIFIC AIR EXPRESS AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED ACN: 074 265 553 Status: In Liquidation Secondary Status: Receiver & Manager Appointed

Thanks TBM,...shows that Dr Google searches don't always lead to the correct rabbit hole!

For what its worth here is the listing on the ASIC website where google took me.

ASIC SEARCH - PAE

Name: PACIFIC AIR EXPRESS AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED ACN: 074 265 553 ABN: 26 074 265 553(External Link) Registration date: 5/06/1996 Next review date: 5/06/2022
Status: External Administration Type: Australian Proprietary Company, Limited By Shares Locality of registered office: SYDNEY NSW 2000 Regulator: Australian Securities & Investments Commission.

And so with PAE in liquidation as you say, wouldn't that give employees access to the Governments Fair Entitlements Guarantee (if needed)?

Does anyone know the fate of the other PAE 757 which was getting maintenance checks in Europe that wasn’t able to be in service with the company before bankruptcy?