Texel Air looks to 737-700FC for growth as utilization doubles

[caption id="attachment_414492" align="alignright" width="500"] Unit 30293 is the first ever 737-700FC converted by PEMCO. (Photo: Texel Air)[/caption] Having taken delivery of its first 737-700FC (30293, an ex-Yakutia), Bahrain-based Texel Air is eager to put the aircraft’s upgraded capabilities to good use and take advantage of the high demand for cargo capacity worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. George Chisholm, CEO of Chisholm Enterprises , Texel Air’s parent company, told Cargo Facts that unit 30293, which arrived in Bahrain (BAH) Aug. 24, is being reregistered in the country and that he expects to begin operations with the new arrival in two to three weeks. Until recently, Texel Air had been a relatively low-utilization, niche operator with two 737-300Fs (27459 and 28200) that often carry a very limited number of people in addition to cargo, but the carrier has found itself taking on a more conventional role in the past several months. In fact, according to Chisholm, flight hours have almost doubled so far in 2020, thanks in part to a new ACMI deal with DHL that began earlier this year, supplementing the express integrator’s own Bahrain-based operations with six 767-200Fs. That does not mean any major freighter orders can be expected, however. Chisholm said that Texel will continue to be conservative with its expansion and focus on the entry into service of the FlexCombi, of which Texel has another on order with PEMCO. To that end, Chisholm said that against falling 737-700 feedstock prices, he had started to identify the second candidate aircraft for conversion, with a planned entry into service next summer. The Texel team is currently undergoing training on the key features of the aircraft, including configuration changes. According to Chisholm, Texel had planned to have this training partially carried out in the U.S., prior to the delivery, but that became impossible due to the pandemic and its ensuing travel restrictions. Chisholm told Cargo Facts that unit 30293 was delivered in a six-pallet, twenty-four-seat configuration but will shortly be converted to a seven-pallet, twelve-seat layout. The 737-700FC also offers a full-cargo mode with eight positions, but Texel is planning four other layouts with six or seven positions and varying seating arrangements, including a medevac configuration that may prove especially relevant during the pandemic. Each of Texel’s FlexCombis is expected to be in a different configuration while in service and will be equipped with an enhanced vision system and heads-up displays, Chisholm added. The two 737-300Fs, one of which is owned and the other of which is leased, are likely to remain in the fleet for now, given there is still demand for them, according to Chisholm. Unit 30293 is the first ever example of a 737-700 FlexCombi and was converted in Tampa (TPA) by PEMCO , which obtained the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the program in July . While Cargo Facts Symposium 2020 will be presented as a virtual event, the unparalleled networking and continuing education opportunities remain, with the best and brightest minds addressing the most pressing industry issues for air cargo — including those around COVID-19. To register and for more information, visit www.cargofactssymposium.com .

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