Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM now has five CRJ200 SFs in its fleet. (Photo: AEI)

Aeronaves TSM has taken redelivery of a CRJ200 SF (7787, ex-South African Express) from Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) [FAT 005130]. This is the fifth CRJ200 SF AEI has redelivered to the Mexican cargo carrier.

Unit 7787 was ferried from Dothan, Alabama (DHN), where it was converted at the Commercial Jet facility, to Aeronaves TSM’s base in Saltillo (SLW) on Sept. 6. The aircraft was produced and delivered in 2003, and flew to DHN to be converted in December 2018.

This is the twelfth CRJ conversion AEI has done to date. Apart from Aeronaves TSM, which is the largest customer, IFL Group has one CRJ100 SF and three CRJ200 SFs, Miami-based lessor Regional One has one CRJ200 SF, and Pinnacle Partners has received two CRJ200 SFs.

The CRJ passenger-to-freighter program was launched in 2013 in cooperation with Bombardier and was granted an STC from the FAA in October 2016. AEI received EASA approval in May 2018 and obtained Transport Canada approval last December.

AEI recently told Cargo Facts that it didn’t expect Bombardier’s sale and termination of the CRJ program to have much impact on the CRJ SF program, and that it was considering adding the newer and longer CRJ900 as a potential add-on.

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