SpiceXpress’ second 737-700F converted at Haite in Tianjin

On 18 April, Bedek redelivered a 737-700BDSF (30512, ex-Xiamen Airlines) to Spectre Air Capital, following conversion to freighter configuration at the Haite Facility in Tianjin. Just hours before the Cargo Facts team departed Shanghai following a successful Cargo Facts Asia, the aircraft departed Tianjin Binhai Airport (TSN) and was ferried to New Delhi Airport (DEL), […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 22, 2019

Cargo Facts Asia: New large widebody freighter conversion programs ahead?

At Cargo Facts Asia in Shanghai, representatives from Boeing and EFW discussed the likelihood of a 777 passenger-to-freighter program – or even an A380 conversion program – in the near future. This is hardly the first time a 777 P-to-F program has been discussed. At last year’s Cargo Facts Symposium, held in San Diego last […]

• Caryn Livingston
• April 19, 2019

737 Classics may still have a role to play in 727F fleet modernization

With deliveries of “third generation” narrowbody conversions, to which the 737 NGs and A320/21 family programs belong, beginning to accelerate, it’s easy to juxtapose the new generation of narrowbody freighters with the 737 Classics and lose sight of the first generation of narrowbody freighters: 727Fs. As 737-400 feedstock dwindles, will 737-300s see a resurgence as […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 12, 2019

The narrowbody freighter fleet part II: 737 NG conversions enter the fleet

Today we continue our three-part analysis of the worldwide fleet of narrowbody jet freighters with a look at active and emerging conversion programs for the narrowbody freighter types currently available and set to enter the market in late 2019 and early 2020. In part III next week, we will break down the fleet on a […]

• Caryn Livingston
• April 5, 2019

Mistral Air adds another 737-400F, will flights reflect Amazon Logistics’ ground presence?

On 3 April, US-based Automatic LLC redelivered a 737-400F (30161, ex-Alaska Airlines) to Italy-based Mistral Air, the airline affiliate of Post Italiane. The aircraft was recently converted to freighter configuration by PEMCO,  at the Coopesa facility in San Jose, Costa Rica. For Mistral Air, this is the third 737-400F to join the fleet in less […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 4, 2019

The narrowbody freighter fleet part I: 737 NG freighters take off

Today we begin a three-part analysis of the worldwide fleet of narrowbody jet freighters with a look at the overall composition of the fleet – how many of the different types are in operation by which carriers. Later this week, in part II, we will look at active and emerging conversion programs for the narrowbody […]

• Caryn Livingston
• April 3, 2019

As 737 NG conversions get off the ground, will MAX groundings limit feedstock?

Early 2019 has seen passenger-to-freighter conversion programs launched years earlier for 737 NG aircraft finally complete conversions and receive certifications. First, in February, Aeronautical Engineers, Inc., received STC certification for its 737-800SF, which was redelivered this month to Ethiopian Airlines, on lease from GECAS. Israel-based Bedek Aviation Group also commenced test flights for its 737-800BDSF […]

• Caryn Livingston
• March 27, 2019

Bedek expects STC for its 737-800BDSF program by June

Earlier this month, Israel-based Bedek Aviation Group commenced flight tests for its first freighter-converted 737-800BDSF (30498, ex-Transaero). Tests are being completed near Tel Aviv, where the former passenger aircraft was converted to freighter configuration. Although the partial shutdown of the U.S. Federal Government delayed flight tests, Bedek tells Cargo Facts that it is expecting the […]

• Charles Kauffman
• March 26, 2019