Purolator, the giant parcel carrier in Canada, is replacing their old, rusty Convair 580 freighters with brand-new ATR72-500 turboprops. These Convairs have been flying around for over 70 years, and the upgrade is happening in British Columbia. The transition is all part of a fresh deal with their long-time partner, KF Aerospace.
KF Aerospace has been working with Purolator for years, handling the air network in BC through its Kelowna Flightcraft division. They’ve been flying these old Convairs since 2015, and the plan now is to swap them out for three shiny new ATR72-500 freighters. Two of these will be fitted to carry containers, and one will be set up for bulk loading. They’re hoping this move will make things more efficient and give Purolator the flexibility to handle different types of cargo better.
The Convair 580s were built back in the early 1950s, having been through more than their fair share of wear and tear. The new ATR72-500 planes, on the other hand, are way more fuel-efficient, have better range, and can carry more cargo. KF Aerospace will be handling all the upgrades. They’re in charge of acquiring and converting these planes, and one of the conversions is already well underway at their Kelowna facility. They’re also bringing more to the table: reliability and better service for Purolator’s customers.
Tracy Medve, the CEO of KF Aerospace, said the addition of the ATR72-500F is going to enhance the planes’ range, capacity, and overall efficiency. That’s a big deal because it means Purolator can keep meeting the demand for on-time deliveries while also expanding into new markets.
Purolator’s network in BC connects a bunch of cities, like Victoria and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, plus Kelowna, Kamloops, and Prince George, all linking back to Vancouver International Airport. And it’s not just Purolator flying solo—they’ve partnered up with other big players in the air cargo world, like Cargojet and Air Canada, to move parcels across the country.
Replacing those super old Convairs with newer, more efficient planes is going to save a ton on maintenance costs, improve the bottom line, and help Purolator stay ahead in the competitive world of parcel delivery. It’s also a great example of how the aviation industry is evolving, with companies like KF Aerospace leading the way in modernizing fleets and improving services.
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