Surinam Airways has announced it signed a new lease agreement with V2 Aviation to operate an Airbus A340-300. The airline had used at least one aircraft of this model between 2009 and 2019, but a breach of contract with the leasing company left the airline without its widebody plane.

A new Airbus A340 is coming

Surinam’s flag carrier signed in January an eight-month dry lease with Dubai-based lessor V2 Aviation for an Airbus A340-300. The airline will deploy this aircraft on its only transatlantic route flying between Paramaribo International Airport (PBM) and Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS). Both companies will work on a more extended lease agreement, according to Scramble, the Dutch Aviation Society, and ch-aviation.

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According to the reports, Surinam Airways’ future Airbus A340-300 is currently stored in Amman, Jordan. It is receiving pre-delivery maintenance works. Per ch-aviation, there are four A340-300s in the books of V2 Aviation and stored at Jordan’s main airport. They have registration numbers 9H-AHUB, 9H-HOP, 9H-ZMK, and F-WTAJ (this last one operated by Airbus Financial Services). The first three are owned by Airhub Airlines, a Maltese Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) specialist. Either of these three planes could be leased to Surinam Airways.

A Surinam Airways Airbus A340-300 Surinam Airways fleet and its standing connection with Airhub Airlines

The Maltese company and Surinam Airways have close ties currently. Airhub Airlines has been leasing an Airbus A330-200, registration 9H-PAX. This plane is operating flights PY993 and PY994 between Paramaribo and Amsterdam. This company is also set to operate flights to Miami for Surinam Airways.

The Paramaribo-based airline currently schedules around 30 weekly flights. It serves routes from Paramaribo, Aruba, and Georgetown, flying to destinations such as Amsterdam, Miami, Curaçao, and Belém. Surinam Airways has a fleet of three aircraft, including two wet-leased planes (an Airbus A320-200 and the previously mentioned A330-200). It also has a Boeing 737-800, delivered earlier this year, according to a post on social media.

Surinam_Airways_A340-300_PZ-TCP_AMS_2011-3-6 Wikimedia CommonsWhat happened to Surinam Airways’ previous Airbus A340?

According to ch-aviation, Surinam Airways operated Airbus A340 aircraft between 2009 and 2019. At its peak, in 2015, the airline had two planes of this model. Nonetheless, the flag carrier lost its final A340 in 2019 after breaching its leasing contract with Aircraft Engine Lease Finance (AELF) and failing to pay a US$41 million settlement, as reported in January 2022 by Simple Flying.

The airline has had financial troubles for quite some time now. According to reports, Surinam Airways had a debt of over US$102 million, leading to several leasing companies repossessing its assets. At its peak in 2015, Surinam Airways had five aircraft, three Boeing 737-300s and two Airbus A340s. In 2019, the airline had one Boeing 777-200(ER), two Boeing 737-700s, and one A340. None of these planes are currently with the company.

Have you traveled with Surinam Airways in the past? How did you find the experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: ch-aviation, Scramble.