AEI-converted 738s cleared by EASA

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) STC for 737-800 conversions, clearing 737-800SFs to fly within its jurisdiction. The AEI-converted 737-800SF will enter service with an EU-based carrier as soon as this month. AEI confirmed to Cargo Facts that Bulgaria-based Cargo Air will become the first EU-based operator of the 737-800SF. The carrier’s first 737-800SF (30664, ex-Smartwings) is currently at the Commercial Jet facility in Dothan (DHN) , where it had arrived on Jan. 3 for conversion. It will shortly be ferried to Sofia (SOF) ahead of service entry, according to AEI. [caption id="attachment_415882" align="alignright" width="550"] Georgian Airways recently became the newest operator of a 737-800SF. (Photo/Georgian Airways)[/caption] Lessors with 737-800SF conversions on order had expressed frustration with the program’s lack of an EASA-issued STC. In late April, delays related to the issuance of an EASA STC “ ruled out all of our European clients from taking these a ir planes ,” said Bill Kmiotek, d irector of BlackRock , during a session at Cargo Facts Asia. Approximately half of the 737NG freighter fleet is currently domiciled in the United States a s a result of the 737-800BCF fleet in service on behalf of Amazon Air. Operators based in China comprise the second-largest concentration of NG operators, while as a block EU-based operator s control the third-largest fleet of 737NGs. A EI’s 737-800SF received an STC from the FAA in 2019, and later received approval from China’s CAAC. The conversion house has nine conversion lines dedicated to the 737-800SF located in Canada, China and the United States. Across all of AEI’s programs, it expects to deliver twenty-four freighters in 2021, and more than thirty in 2022, according to AEI. Cargo Facts EMEA, taking place June 2-3 as a virtual experience, is the event for exploring opportunity in the EMEA region. The event continues to bring together the best, brightest, and most innovative executives in the global air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactsemea.com .

AEI-converted 738s cleared by EASA

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