SINGAPORE—Malaysia-based cargo operator Raya Airways is leasing two Airbus A321 and two A320 P2F (passenger to freighter) aircraft from ST Engineering’s aircraft leasing company to bolster its air freight capacity and meet strong cargo demand. 

ST Engineering inducted the first A321at its Singapore facility on July 7. It will be redelivered to Raya Airways by the fourth quarter of 2022. The 22-year-old A321 was formerly operated by Sky Angkor Airlines. 

The conversion is part of the A320/A321P2F program of Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus. 

“The added payload capacity will enable us to add numerous major routes to further expand the company’s footprint in the region,” Raya Airways Chief Commercial Officer Hidayat Rahim said, adding the four aircraft will increase the carrier’s combined payload by 96 tons. 

Raya Airways serves China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam as well as East Malaysian airports in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Labuan. The all-Boeing carrier operates three 767-200Fs, a 737-400F and a 43-year-old 727-200F. 

The airline confirmed with Aviation Daily that the A320s will not be replacing any of its Boeing aircraft.