Top 10 narrowbody-freighter stories of 2023

In 2023, the narrowbody segment continued its transition toward the newer generation of freighter conversions, with operators increasingly taking 737-800Fs and A321-200Fs for the first time. Each December, we look back at the most popular stories of the past twelve months to recap the year’s most important developments. Unsurprisingly, most of the stories on this list relate to 737NG freighters. Here are the ten most-read stories reported by Cargo Facts in 2023 on narrowbody freighters. Click on each of the subheadings for the story. 1. Buffalo Airways nears first 737 delivery [caption id="attachment_56866553" align="alignright" width="360"] Buffalo is flying its 737 for its affiliate company. (Courtesy/Edmonton International Airport)[/caption] Canada-based Buffalo Airways gained much attention in 2022 when it announced its entrance into the jet segment with the purchase of its first 737 Classic. The 1986-vintage 737-300BDSF (23512, ex-Swiftair) completed maintenance in July this year and arrived in Edmonton (YEG) in August before entering commercial service . 2. Boeing completes first 737-800BCF conversion at Gatwick Boeing’s facility at Gatwick Airport (LGW) in England is one of many 737 conversion lines to have emerged in the past two years; this one is notable for being Boeing’s first in Europe. The first aircraft to enter conversion at LGW was the 2004-vintage unit 33973 (ex-FlyEgypt), which arrived in April 2022 and is Icelease’s first conversion of the type under an order for eleven. Unit 33973 has since joined Camex Adria Airlines . 3. Xtreme Holdings to launch 7Air Cargo with 737NGs Miami-based Xtreme Holdings accelerated the development of its narrowbody freighter portfolio through its leasing arm, Aventus Air Leasing, before announcing plans to launch its own airline, called 7Air Cargo. After submitting a letter of intent to the FAA in 2021 to begin certification, the group told Cargo Facts in September that the new carrier will operate two 737-800 freighters and expects to receive approval to operate in the first half of 2024. 4. Embraer rolls out E190F prototype [caption id="attachment_56866552" align="alignright" width="360"] Embraer hopes to certify the E190F in 2024. (Courtesy/Embraer)[/caption] Cargo Facts is including Embraer’s new E-jet conversion here because of its significance. Though some consider the type a regional aircraft, others have referred to it as a hybrid or crossover. Leaving nomenclature aside, it was an important moment when the Brazilian planemaker unveiled its completed E190F prototype during an employee ceremony at the end of November. Embraer expects to obtain certification for the E190F in 2024. 5. AEI completes 600th freighter conversion Since its founding in 1958, AEI has firmly established its presence in the narrowbody and regional conversion space. This summer, the company reached the 600 mark with completion of a 737-800SF at the Commercial Jet facility in Miami (MIA). More than fifty of the 600 conversions are 737-800SFs, AEI told Cargo Facts . 6. DHL acquires ex-SpiceJet 737-800BCFs [caption id="attachment_56866556" align="alignright" width="360"] Blue Dart bought the two 737-800BCFs from DHL. (Courtesy/v1images)[/caption] DHL Express expanded its narrowbody freighter operations into India in December 2022 when it acquired two ex-SpiceJet 737-800BCFs (30474 and 30475) and transferred them to India-based subsidiary Blue Dart. Units 30475 and 30474, which began operations in May and June, respectively, complement Blue Dart’s six 757-200PCFs to support the growing e-commerce market in India. 7. First GlobalX A321F arrives in Miami [caption id="attachment_56866555" align="alignright" width="360"] Global Crossing Airlines is the only A321F operator in the U.S. (Courtesy/v1images)[/caption] The much-anticipated arrival of the first A321F to join a United States-based carrier took place in January when Miami-based Global Crossing Airlines took delivery of an IAE-powered A321-200P2F (1199, ex-Ural Airlines) which was converted with EFW at the VT San Antonio Aerospace facility . Global Crossing quietly ferried unit 1199 to Miami (MIA) from Kansas City (MCI) after it was painted in the startup’s livery, and the freighter began commercial service in February. 8. Texel Air NZ targets 10-strong freighter fleet Bahrain-based Chisholm Enterprises, parent of Texel Air, this year announced a new subsidiary in New Zealand called Texel Air Australasia to operate primarily in Australia and New Zealand. The airline has taken delivery of three 737-800BCFs and begun flying. It plans to grow to as many as ten 737-800BCFs in the next few years. 9. Alaska Airlines takes 1st 737-800BCF [caption id="attachment_56866554" align="alignright" width="360"] Alaska Airlines will add its second 737-800BCF in 2024. (Courtesy/Alaska Airlines)[/caption] Alaska Airlines was one of the earliest movers into the 737NG freighter segment, taking its first 737-700BDSF in late 2017. After maintaining a fleet of three 737-700BDSFs for more than four years, Alaska signed a sale, conversion and leaseback deal with BBAM for two 737-800BCFs. The first aircraft (35682) arrived back in the U.S. in October after conversion in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), and began service in November. The second (35681) has been in Kelowna (YLW) since August. 10. Swiftair to begin A321P2F ops next year The A321 freighter will gain at least one European operator in 2024 when Swiftair takes delivery of two EFW conversions on lease from AerCap. The Spanish ACMI airline told Cargo Facts in October that it expects to fly the Airbus narrowbody on behalf of an integrator, adding to its diverse fleet of 757s, 737-800s, 737 Classics and ATR 72s. Cargo Facts EMEA 2024, the essential event for stakeholders in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will take place Feb. 5-7 in Amsterdam. Learn more and register now .

Top 10 narrowbody-freighter stories of 2023

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