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The Sweet Scent of Aviation: Former FedEX ATR 42 EC-KAI
The ATR 42-300 with registration EC-KAI and MSN 141 was originally delivered to Simmons Airlines in the USA as N431MQ in June 1989. It was the first ATR-42 delivered to an American customer. The ATR-42 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner produced by ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo S.p.A. The aircraft is typically used for short-haul flights, and has a maximum range of 1,011 nautical miles (1,861 km) with a maximum cruising speed of 276 knots (511 km/h).
After being operated by Simmons Airlines, the aircraft was later transferred to Executive Airlines Puerto Rico as N141AE from April 1995 to February 1998 before being transferred to American Eagle until 2004. In 2004, the aircraft was converted from passenger into a cargo variant ATR 42-300F and operated solely by FedEx Express for freight. Over the years, it had different owners, including Air Contractors, FedEx Feeder, and Swiftair. In 2007, when Swiftair took over and the aircraft was finally registered as EC-KAI.
Throughout its last years of history, the ATR 42-300 was mainly used for cargo transport. In recent years, it was exclusively used for transporting flowers within Spain and abroad, which could still be smelled inside the aircraft.
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, is an American courier delivery services company that was founded in 1971. The company is known for its overnight shipping service and pioneering a system that could track packages and provide real-time updates on package location. FedEx Express operates a large fleet of aircraft, including the ATR 42-300, to provide global air cargo services.
The ATR-42 is a popular regional airliner, known for its reliability and efficiency. It was first introduced in 1985 and is still in production today, with over 500 units delivered to various customers worldwide. The aircraft has been used for both passenger and cargo operations and has proven to be a versatile and cost-effective solution for short-haul flights.
Despite its retirement, the ATR 42-300 with registration EC-KAI continues to live on through Aviationtag, which creates unique keychains and accessories made from upcycled aircraft materials. Aviationtag has transformed this iconic aircraft into a one-of-a-kind collectible Plane Tag that is sure to delight any aviation geek or planespotter. So if you want to keep a piece of aviation history with you, don't miss the chance to own an Aviationtag made from this iconic aircraft.
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