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

Who’s who in freighter conversions part I: the next generation and beyond

Last year, the conversion industry finally pushed forward the next generation of conversions with the redelivery of the first freighter-converted next-generation (NG) narrowbody aircraft – Alaska Airlines’ 737-700BDSF converted by Bedek Aviation Group. Boeing aircraft weren’t the only airframe types to find new life as freighters among the next generation, either, as a year ago […]

• Caryn Livingston
• December 11, 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

The narrowbody freighter fleet — Part III

Today we conclude our analysis of the worldwide fleet of narrowbody jet freighters with a look at the fleet on a type-by-type basis, with a focus on express vs. general cargo, and then by regional distribution. You can read Part I here (the overall composition of the fleet), and Part II here (the passenger-go-freighter conversion […]

• David Harris
• April 12, 2018

The narrowbody freighter fleet — Part II

Today we continue our analysis of the worldwide fleet of narrowbody jet freighters with a look at the passenger-to-freighter conversion market. You can read yesterday’s analysis of the overall composition of the fleet here, and tomorrow, in Part III, we will break down the fleet on a type-by-type basis, with a focus on express vs. […]

• David Harris
• April 11, 2018

Longhao Airlines to double freighter fleet

Guangzhou-based all-cargo carrier Longhao Airlines launched eleven-months ago with a single 737-300F. By year-end 2017, the carrier, which operates charter flights almost exclusively for Shenzhen-based SF Airlines, had three 737-300Fs in service. In February, Longhao added units four and five (29108, 29109), and outlined plans to further grow its narrowbody freighter fleet to seven 737Fs […]

• Charles Kauffman
• March 1, 2018

Part III: The changing landscape of freighter aircraft leasing

On Monday, we began a multi-part series on freighter aircraft leasing which began with a look at the way in which a business that was originally fairly straightforward has become increasingly complex – you can see that discussion here. Yesterday, we continued with a closer look at the lessors themselves (see part II). while today we will […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 16, 2017

GECAS places launch order for AEI 737-800 P-to-F

The narrowbody freighter boom continues. Aircraft lessor GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) closed the Paris Air Show with the announcement of an order with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc for up to twenty 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversions. AEI was the first of the conversion houses to announce the formal launch of a P-to-F program for the current generation […]

• David Harris
• June 19, 2015