BBAM tops up BCF orderbook, to inaugurate KF line

FARNBOROUGH, England — BBAM has added nine 737-800BCFs to its orderbook, bringing the total number of 737NG conversions it has on order with Boeing to forty units [FATs 007795-7803]. 

BBAM told Cargo Facts that it will be the first customer to induct a 737-800 for conversion at the KF Aerospace facility in Kelowna (YLW), which will open in 2023. The lessor expects to receive the 737-800BCFs from this latest order between 2024-2025.

Customers have already been secured for the new order, according to BBAM, which added that it had seen much interest for the type with more customers than freighters available.

BBAM also told Cargo Facts that it intends to both use 737-800s from its existing portfolio and acquire new aircraft as feedstock for its conversion order, adding that it is actively considering acquisition opportunities. 

Cargo Facts believes that BBAM was also the first to inaugurate Boeing’s new conversion line at the Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) facility in San Jose (SJO), Costa Rica, earlier this year. 

Boeing told Cargo Facts that its 737-800BCF program currently uses a total of thirteen lines, but the aircraft manufacturer is looking for additional conversion capacity. Boeing announced earlier in July that it will begin a surge line at the London Gatwick (LGW) facility this in November.

BBAM added to its conversion orderbook in July 2021 with twelve more 737-800BCFs, taking the BCF orderbook past 200 units. The U.S.-based lessor has also become the largest customer for Elbe Flugzeugwerke’s (EFW) A321P2F conversion program.

Boeing said it has now secured orders and commitments for around 250 737-800BCF conversions. 

The announcement was the second for the 737-800BCF at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, after Georgian Airlines committed to three of the type.