Yemen is launch customer of new Chinese freighter
Yemen's Felix Airways has become the launch customer of the Chinese MA600F freighter.
Xian Aircraft has delivered two of the freighters to Yemen's ministry of transport as part of a government to government deal. It is the manufacturer’s first customer in the region.
The aircraft developed by AVIC Xi'an Aircraft Industry was seen at this years Zhuhai Air Show in November, where it had completed a a 3.5 hour flight from the factory. This came less than a month after the type’s first flight on October 24.
The twin turboprop MA600F is produced on the same assembly line as the regional turboprop MA600 – an upgraded MA60 - but its key difference is a large cargo door on the starboard side of the rear fuselage.
The freighter features a container cargo loading system, large cargo doors, smoke detection system, cargo space ventilation switch, and main landing gear indication system based on the MA600 airplanes.
AVIC described the biggest bright spot of the aircraft as its ball & roll bar cargo loading system, and the large-sized cargo door design.
These improvements enhance the aircraft cargo loading capacity, and also show that XAC has greatly strengthened its capacity in the large-size cargo door and structure design as well as assembly technologies, AVIC said.
Felix Airways is part-owned by the Yemen government will be using the freighters for exporting fresh local produce.
AVIC is also expecting to complete negotiations with Yemen’s ministry of transport for six of the MA60 passenger aircraft which could be used by Felix to augment their existing regional fleet of two Bombardier regional jets.
Related Content
