Nella Airlines to start flying a 737-400F in 2021

Brazil-based Nella Airlines plans to enter the cargo market next year, with an anticipated launch of freighter operations in mid-2021. [caption id="attachment_415135" align="alignright" width="366"] Nella Airlines is looking to deploy its first 737F on domestic charters. (Photo: Nella Airlines)[/caption] Nella, which is awaiting regulatory approval from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), told Cargo Facts it expects to begin with at least one 737-400F. The new company plans to fly the freighter on a chartered basis domestically from Sao Paulo (GRU) to Belo Horizonte (CNF) and Manaus (MAO), at least initially. Nella Airlines is one half of the Nella Airlines Group and will be responsible for non-scheduled cargo and passenger flights with 737s; the other half is named Nella Linhas Aereas and will operate regional passenger flights with ATR 72s. Nella recently obtained a capital injection of approximately $97 million from its U.S.-based parent — Orlando-headquartered JKL Holdings — and is the first Brazilian airline to be fully foreign-owned after the government lifted the 20% foreign investment limit in June 2019, according to local reports. The carrier did not specify whether it intends to lease or purchase the first 737-400F, but we note the following potential candidates that have already been converted to freighter configuration and do not currently appear to be in service or placed with any operator: Units 26605 and 27087, two PEMCO-converted aircraft previously operated by Brazil-based Connect Cargo and repossessed by Luxembourg-based Vallair; Unit 27914 (ex-LOT), a 737-400SF owned by Vx Capital and freshly converted by Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) earlier this year; and Unit 28151 (ex-Qantas), converted by PEMCO in 2014 and previously destined for Emirates International Air Cargo, but has been in Al Ain (AAN) since October 2019. Vx Capital will soon also take redelivery of another ex-LOT 737-400SF (28753) that has been completed by AEI at the KF Aerospace facility in Kelowna (YLW). It is unclear whether a customer has already committed to the aircraft, which conducted a test flight today. Brazil is also home to three other operators of freighter-converted 737 Classics: Azul, Modern Logistics and Sideral.

Nella Airlines to start flying a 737-400F in 2021

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Nella Airlines to start flying a 737-400F in 2021

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Conversion feedstock and STCs unleash pent-up demand

MasAir plans two more freighters in 2021

MasAir plans two more freighters in 2021

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CARGO FACTS CONSULTING

CFC: Most conversion programs running at capacity

CFS: More e-tailers pursue own-controlled air as a competitive advantage

Follow Us