SpiceJet plans to triple 737 NG freighter fleet, build hub in Northeast India

India-based SpiceJet is challenging the conventional wisdom that freighters don’t make sense in the fleet of a low-cost carrier. The airline plans to grow its freighter fleet to six 737 NGs over the next twelve months – up significantly from the two freighters in SpiceXpress livery that exist today, according to a statement in SpiceJet’s […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 29, 2019

Freighter aircraft transactions through the end of April

Every week in Cargo Facts Update, we include a list of recent freighter aircraft transactions, and then a comprehensive summary in the monthly issue of Cargo Facts. Each reference to a freighter aircraft transaction (FAT) in our publications contains a unique FAT code linked to the FAT database on the CargoFacts.com website. This database is […]

• Caryn Livingston and Charles Kauffman
• May 7, 2019

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

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

The first 7 operators of 737 NG freighters

Earlier this week, Atran Airlines, the express carrier subsidiary of Russia-based Volga Dnepr Group, announced it successfully added its first 737-800BCF to its AOC (32616, ex-Nok Air), on lease from GECAS. Atran has become the seventh 737 NG operator, since Bedek redelivered the first freighter-converted 737-700 in September 2017. Today, there are three active conversion […]

• Caryn Livingston and Charles Kauffman
• March 22, 2019

SpiceJet adds maiden 737 NG freighter, more on the way

Today, India-based low-cost carrier SpiceJet took redelivery of its maiden freighter, a Bedek Aviation Group-converted 737-700BDSF (29042, ex-Xiamen Airlines), to support the launch of a newly created cargo subsidiary, SpiceXpress. The aircraft, on-lease from Spectre Cargo, is the first of four Spectre-leased 737 NG freighters SpiceXpress plans to put into service over the next few […]

• Charles Kauffman
• September 10, 2018

Alaska Air Cargo’s three 737-700Fs flying high, considers adding more

Better late than never, Alaska Air Cargo took re-delivery of its first Bedek-converted 737-700BDSF about two years later than originally expected in September 2017. The first -700F entered commercial service on 27 September 2017, and as of March 2018, the Seattle-based carrier was operating all three -700BDSFs it had on order with Bedek. Looking ahead, […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 1, 2018

First freighter-converted 737-800F certified and redelivered by Boeing

On 12 April, Boeing announced via Twitter that it had received EASA and FAA Standard Type Certification (STC) for its 737-800BCF freighter conversion program. Following certification, the 737-800BCF (32740) was ferried from Victorville to East Midlands, where it will be formally handed over to launch customer GECAS, and then immediately leased to launch operator, Sweden-based […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 17, 2018