The first 737-800 enters conversion at AEI

Lessor GECAS ferried a 737-800 (29121, most recently operated by Corendon Airlines) to Miami International Airport, where Aeronautical Engineers, Inc inducted it for conversion to freighter configuration. Redelivery is scheduled for mid-2017.

GECAS was the launch customer for AEI’s 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversion program (read more on that here), and this is the first -800 to enter conversion in any program (Boeing and Bedek Aviation Group have also launched competing 737-800 P-to-F programs). It is not, however, the first 737 NG to enter conversion. That honor belongs to an Alaska Airlines 737-700 (30794) currently in conversion at the Bedek facility in Tel Aviv.

GECAS says it plans to have AEI convert up to twenty of its 737-800s to freighter configuration, with the conversions to be performed at authorized AEI Conversion Centers at facilities in the U.S. and Asia. GECAS is also a launch customer for Boeing’s 737-800BCF conversion program, with an order for five conversions.