PEMCO prepares to convert fourth 737-300 for Rostrum Leasing

On July 10, a 737-300 (27710, ex-Southwest) was ferried from storage in Victorville (VCV) to Tampa (TPA). PEMCO Conversions confirmed to Cargo Facts that this aircraft is due to be inducted for conversion into freighter configuration at its TPA facility, and that the customer will be Ireland-based Rostrum Leasing. PEMCO said that unit 27710 will […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 12, 2019

Connect Cargo becomes Brazil’s latest freighter airline

Brazilian startup Connect Cargo has completed its Part 121 certification with ANAC, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, and has been granted its AOC, paving the way for the launch of scheduled commercial operations. The company will base its two PEMCO-converted 737-400Fs (27087, ex-Malaysia Airlines, and 26605, ex-Japan Transocean Air) at Recife (REC) and fly them […]

• Jeff Lee
• June 28, 2019

Ex-Alaska 737-400 combis start to find new life as full freighters

Canada-based Avmax took redelivery of the first of two combi-to-freighter converted 737-400Fs (25099, ex-Alaska Airlines) it has on order with PEMCO World Air Services. Avmax tells Cargo Facts that a second 737-400M (25100) has also been converted to full-freighter configuration and that it is considering full-freighter conversion as an option for the remaining three 737-400 Combis in its portfolio.  Starting with the first […]

• Jeff Lee
• June 13, 2019

Resurgence seen in 737-300 P-to-F conversions

This week, a 737-300QC (28054, ex-Mistral Air) was ferried to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), where it was inducted for conversion to full-freighter configuration at the COOPESA facility by PEMCO. In the coming months, carriers in Latin America and Asia are planning to add more of the 737-300F fleet type. The -300QC induction follows a […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 7, 2019

Freighter aircraft transactions through the first half 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
• April 15, 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

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