iAero prepares to add 737-800F pair

Florida-headquartered iAero Airways will soon add two more 737-800Fs to its active fleet, taking it to a total of nine freighters — at least seven of which will be in service for or on behalf of DHL Express. The two latest additions were converted according to two different STCs. [caption id="attachment_416418" align="alignright" width="560"] iAero already has six 737 freighters in DHL colors. (Photo/iAero Airways)[/caption] The first, the 1999-vintage unit 29916 (ex-AnadoluJet), is a BlackRock-owned 737-800SF that underwent conversion with Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) in Jinan (TNA). The aircraft arrived at iAero Airways’ facility in Greensboro (GSO) on Sept. 24, after spending a few months in Dothan (DHN) following its return from TNA in early June. Unit 29916 was in fact BlackRock’s first 737-800 that it had sent for conversion in 2020. Cargo Facts believes the lessor had previously intended for unit 29916 to join a different customer. The 737 is also the first -800F in iAero’s own livery; the carrier currently operates three 737-800BDSFs and two 737-400SFs on a CMI basis for DHL, and one 737-800SF on an ACMI basis. All six are in DHL colors, while a single 737-300BDSF remains in iAero livery and is not in operation for DHL. iAero could not be reached for comment on its plans for unit 29916. The second newly converted 737-800 joining iAero’s fleet is the 2000-vintage unit 30468 (ex-SAS), a 737-800BDSF that Spectre Air Capital converted with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tianjin (TSN). The aircraft is now also at the iAero facility at GSO, having arrived on Sept. 29. It was photographed in Anchorage (ANC) in full DHL colors with “Operated by Swift Air” on the nose gear doors, as with the carrier’s six other CMI and ACMI 737s. As of Sept. 30, unit 30468 is still registered to Spectre, which managed the conversion for DHL, but the express integrator will likely purchase it in the days ahead and place it with iAero for CMI operation. iAero, which began flying DHL’s first two 737-800BDSFs in May 2020, added a third in February 2021. The carrier also recently leased its first 737-800SF (32796, ex-AeroMexico) from BlackRock and deployed it in ACMI service for DHL in July 2021. iAero told Cargo Facts in June that it is in the process of growing its freighter fleet to at least twelve units. DHL, meanwhile, expects to add to its U.S. operation two 737-800s (30467, ex-SAS, and 30499, ex-Shenzhen Airlines) nearing completion with IAI at TSN and in Tel Aviv (TLV), respectively. DHL purchased another two ex-SAS 737-800s (28318 and 32278) from Jetran on Sept. 23, but declined to comment for now on its placement plans. Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE Oct. 25-27 at the Wynn Las Vegas, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactssymposium.com .

iAero prepares to add 737-800F pair

The carrier plans to grow its freighter fleet even further

E-commerce traffic boosts US domestic air express outlook through 2026

IATA: August cargo load factors soar for Asia-Pacific airlines

IATA: August cargo load factors soar for Asia-Pacific airlines

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password