Canada-based KF Aerospace has completed the full-freighter conversion of its first owned 737-400SF [FAT 005479-005480]. The aircraft (24751, ex-Flair Airlines) is also the first 737-400F registered under a Canadian operator.
KF Aerospace told Cargo Facts that unit 24751, on which work began in October 2019, is now ready for service, but declined to comment on plans for the aircraft. The 737 was recorded onto the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register earlier this month under Regency Aero Lease Inc., which appears to be a KF leasing affiliate.
Unit 24751 carried out two test flights around Kelowna (YLW) on June 18. The aircraft is the first in the agreement between KF and Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) for three 737-400SFs, announced in April. At the time, only one aircraft (24769, ex-Flair Airlines) was specified. KF confirmed to Cargo Facts unit 24769 has already been inducted for conversion.
According to KF, the third aircraft will be inducted for a C-check shortly, ahead of conversion. The cargo-door kit is expected to be delivered in October. Cargo Facts believes this aircraft is unit 24573, another ex-Flair Airlines 737-400 that was deregistered last October.
Meanwhile, AEI is also converting the first of three ex-LOT 737-400s for Vx Capital Partners at the KF Aerospace’s YLW facility. That aircraft (27914) was inducted in March. When the deal was announced in January, the second (28752) was expected to be inducted in May and the third (28753) in August. KF now anticipates the arrival of the second 737 this fall.
AEI secured STC approval from Transport Canada for its 737-300SF and 737-400SF conversions at the end of March, and announced early April that KF would add a second line for its conversions. 737-800SF conversions at YLW could begin as early as the end of this year.
KF Aerospace was designated an AEI conversion site for 737 Classics in February 2017.
