DHL / Air Contractors A300
 

Any ideas why the A300's have started to transfer to EI-reg and operate under Air Contractors callsigns on the DHL network recently? 4 have transferred across so far I understand. :confused:

Apparently the LBA would not accept the non-standardized state of the aircraft. Last I heard was that there were 7 different nav systems or layouts on the fleet.

I'm suprised there hasn't been a lot of stuff on here about this change to ACL operation!
Good news is that more aircraft are going back into service.

Questions:

Who is "Air Contractors"?

They are flying route segments previously flown by DHL EAT in aircraft that were previously on DHL EAT or DHL UK certificate??

Which and how many airframes are still being flown by DHL UK and DHL EAT pilots?

BD

Air Contractors take all the DHL A300 fleet. They have 14 A300s.
EAT crews have been seconded to Air Contractors, and the rest of the crews are Air Contractors already. :ok:

ASL Aviation

Air Contractors : Home Page

Air Contractors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I noticed an abr hercules kicking around doing routes is that still in service. Why do all dhl a300's have different systems say a300 x has one system then a300 y has a different one and a300 z has a different one ext

The A300B4s came from a variety of operators, thus when they were acquired they had different avionics fits (mainly) but some had different freight doors etc (DIB & DIC as was).

EAT/DHL were attempting to get all the aircraft into one of two different avionic fits but the world changed before they were finished and they started 'laying off' aircraft and crews.

As for now, as I understand it, EAT guys are all getting Irish endorsements to fly for ACL, seconded from EAT.

But, watch this space. I can't imagine all the histrionics are over yet. . .

Ah right cool cheers. So eventually we will end up with the whole DHL A300 network (in Europe at least) operating as ABR? With 14 A300's.

Do ABR still have A300 trained pilots from when they used to own some themselves

Yes Air Contractors have (well) trained and very experienced crews on all their fleets :ok: ;)

One Aircraft is registered EI-DHL, that's original isn't it?

Very original :} I think they had one registered that before it went to DHL so that could be the same one. EI-SAF, EI-OZB and EI-OZC are the others to have come back so far.

Also any ideas what these additional 4 ATR72's are for? Am I right in thinking they will join the single ATR72 on Europe Airpost work (allowing them to get rid of the Miniliner F27's) or are they for Fedex expansion?

Miniliner still have some rotting F27's at Cologne that have been there a while. Im not supprised if the other F27's join them

Yep mmeteeside
THose A300s including EI-DHL were previously on the irish reg with ACL.They had 10 or 11 which ended up in the EAT fleet so all will I guess end up back on the EI reg with the old reg's.8 were operated previously by ACL for DHL so I guess in one respect its old birds coming home.

I think Europe Airpost (= Air Contractors) is the owner of the F27s used on the french domestic routes. They are operated by Miniliner and I think it is cheaper than using ATRs on those routes.
As far as I know the additionnal 4 ATR72s will either be used on FedEx network (there might be new routes to come) or they will be dry leased anywhere else.

"I guess in one respect its old birds coming home"

So can we look forward to the B72's coming home too?? :E

Best regards and Happy Christmas

Yorky:ok:

Alas no Yorky those days are gone for good.Shame really cause they were real good days eh!

Hi Fingal, ye, great days and a superb bunch of people to work with, regards to all in Dublin.

Will we see operated by Air Contractors stickers on the DHL A300's.

Doubt it. Incidentally, most of the airframes are owned by Air Contractors and leased to DHL.

Hi Fingal, yes, good days and a great bunch of people to work with. My regards to you all in Dublin.

All the best for the new year..Yorky.