The first 7 operators of 737 NG freighters

Earlier this week, Atran Airlines, the express carrier subsidiary of Russia-based Volga Dnepr Group, announced it successfully added its first 737-800BCF to its AOC (32616, ex-Nok Air), on lease from GECAS. Atran has become the seventh 737 NG operator, since Bedek redelivered the first freighter-converted 737-700 in September 2017. Today, there are three active conversion program’s redelivering 737NG freighters, and certification of a fourth program is expected imminently. Here’s a look at the first seven 737 NG freighter operators. Next week, we’ll continue with an analysis of the next round of operators expecting to take redelivery of their first 737 NG freighters in 2019. 1) September 2017: Alaska Air Cargo took redelivery of the first 737 NG freighter , a 737-700BDSF (30794, ex Alaska Airlines). Last year, the carrier added two additional 737-700BDSFs, with feedstock sourced from Alaska’s passenger fleet. The Seattle-based combination carrier has an option for a fourth conversion, but has not yet exercised it. 2) April 2018: Sweden-headquartered West Atlantic Airlines added the first 737-800BCF (32740, ex-Futura) on lease from GECAS. The carrier has since taken delivery of three additional -800BCFs (32609, 32612 and 32615), all of which are operating on behalf of FedEx .

3) August 2018: Air Algérie took redelivery of the first of two 737-800BCFs (30202) on order with Boeing. Beyond the first two orders, local media reported last month that the carrier had received preliminary approval and a line of credit from Algeria's National Investment Fund and would solicit proposals for the acquisition of up to nine aircraft – potentially freeing up additional 737-800s in Air Algérie’s passenger fleet for conversion. 4) September 2018: Last fall, India-based low-cost carrier SpiceJet added a maiden freighter , a 737-700BDSF (29042, ex-Xiamen Airlines), to support the launch of a recently-launched cargo subsidiary, SpiceXpress . The aircraft, on-lease from Spectre Cargo, is the first of four Spectre-leased 737 NG freighters SpiceXpress plans to put into service over the next few months as part of the carrier’s initial foray into freighter operations. 5) September 2018: ASL Airlines Belgium added its first 737-800BCF (32580, ex-Guizhou Airlines) on-lease from GECAS, which was followed by the carrier’s second and final 737-800BCF due from GECAS, unit 32610 (ex-China Southern Airlines), in November. 6) March 2019: Ethiopian Airlines took redelivery of the first-eve r Aeronautical Engineers, Inc.-converted 737-800SF (29121) on-lease from GECAS. Ethiopian also agreed to take an additional -800SF from GECAS (32613, ex-China Southern Airlines), which has already completed conversion, and will be redelivered shortly. 7) March 2019: GECAS ferried a 737-800BCF (32616, ex-Nok Air) to Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport in January ahead of redelivery to Volga-Dnepr Group affiliate, Atran Airlines . The aircraft was certified in Russia earlier this week and has completed a couple of one-off flights, according to release from the company. The aircraft is expected to commence scheduled operations shortly and is the first of two aircraft Atran has agreed to lease from GECAS. Those interested in learning more about narrowbody freighter conversions are invited to join us at Cargo Facts Asia 2019, to be held 15-17 April at the Langham Shanghai. This year’s speaker faculty includes executives from from AEI, Bedek, Boeing, GECAS, and many more. For more information, or to register, visit www.cargofactsasia.com .

The first 7 operators of 737 NG freighters

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