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DHL Express enters 2023 with more fleet transactions after acquiring two 737-800BCFs that were previously operated by SpiceJet.
DHL acquired the 2000-vintage sister ships (30474 and 30475) in December, according to the Federal Aviation Administration aircraft registry [FATs 008401-8406].
The two units were removed from the SpiceJet fleet and returned to lessor Spectre Air Capital, arriving in Naples (NAP) in August and September 2022, respectively.
With the return of the 737-800BCFs, SpiceJet now operates just three 737-700BDSFs.
Both 737-800BCFs were temporarily stored at NAP before they were ferried to East Midlands (EMA) in December.
Cargo Facts believes the aircraft will enter service with India-based Blue Dart Aviation — a subsidiary of DHL — to address the growing demand in the region. Cargo Facts reported in December that Blue Dart Express, parent company of Blue Dart Aviation, was seeking shareholder approval to purchase two 737-800BCFs from DHL. Blue Dart announced shareholder approval for the transaction Dec. 23.
Blue Dart said the two 737-800 freighters would support the projected year-over-year market growth of 6%. The company initiated network expansion plans in 2018 to support the anticipated e-commerce growth in India and increase its current fleet of six 757-200PCFs.
As it stands, DHL owns ten 737-800BDSFs and contracts -800BCFs and -800SFs on an ACMI basis from its partner carriers.
DHL has made other moves to strengthen its worldwide network, placing one 767-300BCF with its Australia-based subsidiary, Tasman Cargo Airlines, and another with DHL Aero Expreso (DAE), its affiliate carrier based in Panama, in 2022.
The express company also placed a second 737-800BDSF on CMI with Kalitta Charters II and entered an ACMI agreement with Solenta Aviation for four ATR 72-500Fs with large cargo doors.
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