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Jeju Air to launch freighter ops with 737-800F
Low-cost carrier diversifies its revenue mix
South Korea-based low-cost carrier Jeju Air will begin dedicated cargo operations later this year with a converted 737-800 freighter in an attempt to diversify its revenue stream.
Jeju Air told Cargo Facts that it expects the conversion process to begin with Boeing this month in Jinan (TNA). The aircraft will be the 2006-vintage unit 30694, which previously flew in passenger service with Jeju and will rejoin its fleet around June.
Unit 30694, which has been at TNA since October 2021, is on lease from Aviator Capital Management, Jeju Air confirmed [FATs 007256-7257].
The Florida-headquartered lessor announced a single 737-800BCF conversion slot with Boeing at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021.
Jeju Air, which obtained an international cargo transportation license in 2012, told Cargo Facts that it hopes to operate the 737-800BCF on some of its existing routes to China, Japan and Vietnam. This first freighter will serve as a pilot for future operations with potential additional aircraft.
While Jeju Air could become the first 737-800BCF operator in the country, it is not the first to have 737NG freighters; fellow South Korean carrier Air Incheon added three 737-800SFs on lease in 2021.
As of mid-February, three carriers have already begun operating 737-800Fs for the first time, each with a different STC:
- In Europe, Spain-based Swiftair recently began 737-800BDSF CMI operations for DHL Express with the 2000-vintage unit 30467 (ex-SAS);
- Chrono Aviation started flying Canada’s first 737-800SF this month following the approval of Aeronautical Engineers Inc.’s (AEI) STC by Transport Canada in January; and
- Bahrain-based Texel Air received its first 737-800BCF in December 2021 and launched operations with it earlier this year.
Additionally, several other airlines will soon start flying their first 737-800Fs in the months ahead:
- Panama-based Copa Airlines took redelivery of a 737-800BCF (33709) in December that it has yet to deploy;
- Startup Georgian Airlines received a 737-800BCF (28595, ex-Air Italy) on lease from BBAM in January;
- A 737-800BCF (32687, ex-Xiamen Airlines) in the colors of Chinese e-tailer JD.com made its way to Nantong (NTG) in late January after conversion; and
- NordStar will become Russia’s third 737-800BCF operator with the delivery of a pair of 737-800BCFs that it hopes to operate from Moscow (DME) to Norilsk (NSK) and Krasnoyarsk (KJA), and potentially to additional cities across Siberia and China.
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