8 operators fly multiple 737-800F conversion types

Carriers transitioning to the 737-800 freighter have three conversion program options: AEI, Boeing and IAI. Since Boeing got its 737-800BCF program approved in 2018, about 150 737-800 freighter conversions have entered into service. While most carriers have opted for one conversion program, eight airlines operate diversified fleets with more than one 737-800 freighter conversion type. 1. ASL Airlines Ireland: Eight 737-800SFs and two -800BCFs [caption id="attachment_56865146" align="alignright" width="450"] West Atlantic operates two 737-800BCFs and one 737-800SF on its Swedish AOC. (Photo/West Atlantic)[/caption] ASL Aviation Holdings is primed to operate a fleet including at least forty 737-800BCFs, after topping up its order with Boeing in 2022 for ten more 737-800 freighters . The group assigned its 737-800BCFs among its airlines and ASL Airlines Ireland placed its first 737-800SF into service in 2021, when it began operating the type on behalf of Amazon. ASL Airlines Ireland added a 737-800SF (28642, ex-Air Italy) on lease from Titan Aircraft Investments in the first half of this year. The ASL group inducted at least five more 737-800s with Boeing earlier this year after reaching a deal with Goldman Sachs which included access to $155 million over fifteen months. 2. iAero Airways: Five 737-800BDSFs and four -800SFs Miami-based iAero Airways added its first two 737-800BDSFs in May 2020 after reaching a deal with DHL to begin operating the narrowbody freighters on a CMI basis. It now operates five DHL-owned 737-800BDSFs. iAero’s first 737-800SF entered service in late 2021, when the 1999-vintage unit 29916 — the first 737-800 conversion for New York-based lessor BlackRock — arrived at the airline’s facility in Greensboro (GSO). iAero took delivery of its fourth 737-800SF in October 2022. 3. BBN Airlines Nordic: Four 737-800SFs and three -800BCFs Iceland-based BBN Airlines Nordic took delivery of its first 737-800BCF (29788, ex-Turkish Airlines) in 2021 from AviaAM Leasing, the leasing arm of Avia Solutions Group, which told Cargo Facts that it expects 80% of the twenty-five 737-800Fs it has on order to be Boeing conversions. The carrier placed an AEI 737-800SF conversion into service in 2022 with the delivery of the 2004-vintage unit 32277 (ex-SAS) on lease from Aero Capital Solutions. 4. Swiftair: Three 737-800BCFs and three -800BDSFs Spain-based Swiftair became the first European CMI operator for DHL’s 737-800BDSFs in the fourth quarter of 2021 when the 2000-vintage unit 30467 (ex-SAS) was placed on its AOC. Swiftair parent LUSAT expanded the carrier’s capacity after it reached a deal with DHL to provide CMI service for two more 737-800BDSFs while adding three of its own 737-800BCFs to its fleet. 5. Ethiopian Airlines: Three 737-800SFs and one -800BCF Ethiopian Airlines entered the 737-800 freighter market in March 2019 and leased two 737-800SFs from AerCap, then added a third on lease from GA Telesis in 2021. The fiftieth 737-800BCF conversion at the STAECO facility in Jinan (TNA) became another milestone when it became Ethiopian Airlines’ first 737-800 Boeing conversion last year. The airline took delivery of the 2007-vintage unit 35212 (ex-Air Madagascar) on lease from ICBC Leasing. 6. West Atlantic Sweden: Two 737-800BCFs and one -800SF LUSAT subsidiary West Atlantic, took delivery of its first 737-800SF on lease from BlackRock in the first quarter of 2022. The 2003-vintage aircraft (30671, ex-AeroMexico) was ferried from Dothan (DHN) to Malmo (MMX) on Feb. 28. As part of the LUSAT group’s Brexit-related fleet reshuffle , West Atlantic Sweden received two of the four 737-800BCFs previously flying with West Atlantic UK, the first operator of the 737-800BCF . 7. Georgian Airlines: Two 737-800SFs and one 737-800BCF Georgian Airlines began operations with a 737-800BCF (28595, ex-Air Italy) that it took on lease in 2022 from San Francisco-based lessor BBAM. The carrier received its second 737-800SF , the 2002-vintage unit 30646 (ex-EuroAtlantic Airways), on lease from Titan Aircraft Investments in December 2022, nine months after adding its first 737-800SF (28231). 8. Camex Airlines: One 737-800BCF and one -800SF Georgia-based Camex Airlines received a 2003-vintage 737-800BCF (33549) on lease from BBAM in July 2022 and is the country’s third 737NG freighter operator. This year, Camex placed its second 737 800 conversion type into service, telling Cargo Facts that it had reached a deal with World Star Aviation to lease the 2004-vintage unit 33800 (ex-Virgin Australia). Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place Oct. 25-27 at the Omni San Diego, is the essential event for stakeholders in the freighter and air cargo industry. Learn more and register today to take advantage of our early-bird sale.

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