SpiceJet grows freighter fleet with second 737-800BCF

• Jeff Lee
• November 8, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News

India-based SpiceJet will soon receive its second 737-800BCF (30475), on lease from Spectre Air Capital [FATs 005231-005232]. With this redelivery, the carrier grows its freighter fleet to five units. Unit 30475 has been spotted in Jinan (TNA), where it was converted by Boeing at the Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. (STAECO) facility. The aircraft was manufactured in […]

CFS 2019: How will operators with low-utilization rates be able to upgrade to modern narrowbody freighters?

• Charles Kauffman
• October 30, 2019
• Cargo Facts Symposium, CFS 2019 - Airborne Global Video Series, News, Video

SAN DIEGO – Although conversion houses and OEMs have began redelivering 737-700 and 737-800 freighters, most aircraft redelivered to date are in service on behalf of global express carriers. At current acquisition prices, operators with lower utilization rates compared to express carriers face will face greater difficulty when they turn to modern narrowbody freighters, the […]

CFS 2019: Reducing the cost of engine ownership

• Jeff Lee
• October 24, 2019
• Aircraft, Cargo Facts Symposium, CFS 2019 - Airborne Global Video Series, Engines, Narrowbody Conversions, Strategy, Video

SAN DIEGO – As more next-generation narrowbody aircraft become suitable for conversion into freighter configuration, lessors and operators are increasingly hoping to lower the costs associated with owning engines that power these airframes. During Cargo Facts Symposium’s first ever panel dedicated to engine issues with regard to narrowbody conversions, Aileen Barton, marketing manager of GE […]

Alaska Air eager to expand freighter fleet, faces delays due to MAX grounding

• Charles Kauffman
• October 16, 2019
• Carriers, News

Alaska Air Cargo is looking to convert at least two more 737s currently operating in its passenger fleet to freighter configuration, but told Cargo Facts the continued grounding of the 737 MAX has made it difficult to secure approval to free up 737 NG conversion feedstock from its passenger fleet.   Following the deployment of three IAI-converted 737-700Fs beginning in September 2017, […]

Boeing discovers cracks in 737 NG wing joints

• Charles Kauffman
• September 30, 2019
• Aircraft, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News

Boeing recently notified the FAA of an emerging issue with older 737 NG airframes. “On a small number of airplanes undergoing modifications,” cracks were found in a component used to join the wings to the fuselage, commonly referred to as a pickle fork, according to a written statement from Boeing.  Further inspections have since uncovered issues […]

BBAM quietly forays into next-gen narrowbody conversions

• Jeff Lee
• September 11, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Narrowbody Conversions, Strategy

San Francisco-headquartered BBAM is gradually expanding its footprint in the next-generation narrowbody conversion space, and with the recent redeliveries to China Postal Airlines, the lessor has become the first known lessor to have ordered conversions for both the 737 NG and the A321. China Postal received its first 737-800BCF in August 2019 and the second […]

Delayed 737 MAX deliveries for Ryanair cuts into 737-800 conversion feedstock

• Charles Kauffman
• July 29, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Conversions, Features, News

Ryanair Holdings revised the number of 737 MAX aircraft it expects to be operating in its fleet by Summer 2020 from fifty-eight to just thirty, the company announced today concurrently with the release of its Q1 FY2020 earnings, ended 30 June. Along with MAX deliveries, the carrier had planned to gradually retire some of the […]

Boeing freighters continue to sell well amidst 737 MAX and 777X challenges

• Jeff Lee
• July 25, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Features, News

Boeing sold more freighters than passenger aircraft during the second quarter of 2019, according to the manufacturer’s Q2 results, with orders from FedEx for six 767-300Fs [FATs 005050-005056]. By contrast, Boeing only logged unidentified orders for four 737 MAX aircraft and one 787-9 from Air Lease Corporation. Although Boeing said that development and testing of a […]