8 carriers get 1st 737NG freighters in 2024

The momentum for 737NG freighters slowed in 2024 but lower demand did not stop the Boeing next-generation narrowbody freighter from making its debut with carriers around the world. While owners and lessors of 737NG freighters have at least partly attributed the slower market to oversaturation, engine challenges and operational costs, the 737-800F remains the preferred option for many carriers looking to replace their 737 Classic fleets. Here are the eight operators that received 737NG freighters — all of them -800Fs — for the first time in 2024, listed in alphabetical order. 1. 7Air [caption id="attachment_57147926" align="alignright" width="380"] 7Air is leasing both 737-800SFs and 737-800BCFs. (Courtesy/7Air Cargo)[/caption] The Miami-based startup expects to soon launch operations after reaching a lease deal with Aircastle for two 737-800SFs (34799 and 33597). 7Air flew unit 34799 to Miami (MIA) in September to begin proving runs with the FAA in addition to completing maintenance conformity and scripted scenarios that will assess the startup’s ability to overcome operational challenges. The carrier will also lease a 737-800BCF (33471) from Spectre Air Capital. That 2002-vintage aircraft arrived at MIA in September. 7Air expects to obtain its AOC by the first quarter of 2025. 2. Air Inuit The carrier’s first 737-800SF arrived in Montreal (YUL) in July after conversion with AEI in Kelowna (YLW). The 2012-vintage freighter (40855) is the youngest 737NG conversion to enter service and is the first of three 737-800s Air Inuit purchased in 2023 for conversion. The other two (40852 and 40853) are set to become the world’s first 737-800 Combis after conversion at YLW. 3. ASL Airlines Australia [caption id="attachment_57147927" align="alignright" width="380"] Unit 34797 is the first 737-800BCF registered in Australia. (Courtesy/ASL Airlines Australia)[/caption] ASL Aviation Holdings acquired Pionair in 2023 and renamed it ASL Airlines Australia, saying it would place 737-800BCFs on that Australian AOC. The group sent one of its 737-800BCFs (34797) to Brisbane (BNE) in February ahead of registering that aircraft with ASL Airlines Australia in May. Unit 34797 is the first 737-800BCF in Australia and began flying in June. 4. Kenya Airways The carrier added its first 737-800SF in January when it took delivery of the 2002-vintage unit 29984 on lease from GA Telesis. Kenya Airways doubled its fleet a few months later with another 737-800SF (28235) on lease from GA Telesis arriving at its hub in Nairobi (NBO) on April 1, joining two other 737-300Fs. With the arrival of unit 28235, Kenya became the second African carrier to operate more than one 737-800F. 5. Poste Air Cargo The Italian carrier received a pair of 737-800BCFs (34280 and 34684) in October as part of a lease deal with BBAM. Poste Air Cargo is the first Italian operator of the 737-800 freighter type. The carrier told Cargo Facts at the beginning of 2024 that it was looking at potential replacements for its fleet of five 737-400Fs. 6. SF Airlines The Chinese airline is considering retiring its 737 Classic freighters after acquiring its first 737-800BCF (30718) from AerCap in December. Unit 30718 arrived at the STAECO facility in Jinan (TNA) in August ahead of conversion with Boeing. It flew to Seoul (ICN) on Dec. 3 and returned to TNA two days later. SF Airlines expects to add a second 737-800BCF in Q1 2025. 7. Sideral Linhas Aereas Sideral became the third Brazilian carrier to transition to 737-800 freighters after acquiring its first 737-800SF (28591) in 2024. The 1999-vintage unit 28591, which had been owned by AerCap, entered the Brazilian aircraft registry in August. Sideral flew unit 28591 from the Commercial Jet facility in Dothan, Ala. (DHN), to Miami (MIA) on March 1 before ferrying it to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) on March 10. The freighter entered service in September. 8. SuperNova Airlines [caption id="attachment_57147923" align="alignright" width="380"] SuperNova is the only carrier to register a 737-800BCF in Ukraine. (Courtesy/World Star Aviation)[/caption] Cross-border delivery provider Nova Global’s new subsidiary is the first Ukrainian carrier to receive a 737-800 freighter. The 2007-vintage 737-800BDSF (34970, ex-Royal Flight) Nova Global leased from World Star completed its first demonstration flight to Vilnius (VNO) on Sept. 18 under Ukrainian registration before the next-generation freighter was added to the SuperNova fleet. Unit 34970 was the third 737-800BDSF World Star converted with IAI after the lessor placed an order for ten conversions with the company in 2021. Register now for Cargo Facts' essential regional events for industry stakeholders: Cargo Facts LATAM 2025 on Feb. 10-11 at the Pullman Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport in Brazil; Cargo Facts Asia 2025 on March 24-26 at the W Shanghai in China; and Cargo Facts EMEA 2025 on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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