Maltese startup looks to 737-400Fs for launch

• Jeff Lee
• September 17, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

A startup based in Malta aims to enter the freighter market in the first quarter of 2021 with its own air operator’s certificate (AOC) and possibly two 737-400Fs. SVL Airlines told Cargo Facts it had initially looked at 737-300QCs for the extra flexibility of a reconfigurable layout, but as the pandemic worsened over the course […]

Texel Air looks to 737-700FC for growth as utilization doubles

• Jeff Lee
• August 26, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Having taken delivery of its first 737-700FC (30293, an ex-Yakutia), Bahrain-based Texel Air is eager to put the aircraft’s upgraded capabilities to good use and take advantage of the high demand for cargo capacity worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. George Chisholm, CEO of Chisholm Enterprises, Texel Air’s parent company, told Cargo Facts that unit 30293, […]

AEI commences 737-800 conversions in China

• Jeff Lee
• July 17, 2020
• Aircraft, Editorial, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) has begun converting 737-800s at the Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company (STAECO) facility in Jinan (TNA). The first aircraft (29916, ex-AnadoluJet) was ferried by BlackRock from Shannon (SNN) to TNA July 9 to be inducted for conversion [FAT 005504]. In May, when the agreement between BlackRock and AEI for up to […]

PEMCO expands 737NG conversion options with -700 STC

• Charles Kauffman
• July 15, 2020
• Aircraft, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Competition intensifies in the 737NG conversion market, as a fourth company is cleared to convert aircraft of this type.   On July 10, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued PEMCO a supplemental type certificate (STC) for its multi-configuration 737-700 FlexCombi. PEMCO is now working with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for certification in China and Europe.  The […]

Pos Malaysia relaunches freighter operations with 737-400F

• Jeff Lee
• June 24, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Express, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Malaysian postal and aviation group Pos Malaysia has restarted own-controlled freighter operations with an owned 737-400F (25099, ex-Alaska Airlines) [FAT 005474]. The 737 was the first of five ex-Alaska Airlines 737-400 combis acquired by Canada-based Avmax for conversion to full-freighter configuration by PEMCO. Unit 25099 was redelivered in June 2019 and ferried from Tampa (TPA) […]

Cardig Air relaunches with 737-400F

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• May 22, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Indonesia-based Cardig Air has relaunched operations after a couple of years of stagnation. The carrier recently added to its fleet a 737-400F (25857, ex-British Airways) and began flying it May 18 [FAT 005420]. According to Indonesian ground handler JAS Airport Services, Cardig Air is flying the aircraft between Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) and Pekanbaru […]

Startup Air Falcon receives first freighter

• Jeff Lee
• May 18, 2020
• Carriers, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Pakistan-based Air Falcon has taken redelivery of its first aircraft, a 737-300F (27713, ex-Southwest Airlines) on lease from Rostrum Leasing [FAT 005417]. Unit 27713, converted by PEMCO in 2019 and stored in Victorville (VCV) since November, departed VCV May 15 to begin its ferry flight to Pakistan, stopping in Bangor (BGR), Keflavik (KEF) and Varna […]

Demand for 737 Classic conversions persists

• Jeff Lee
• March 20, 2020
• News

Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI) will convert for Nauru Airlines a 737-300. The aircraft (28732) is currently in passenger service with the airline and will be inducted for conversion in late May at the Commercial Jet facility in Miami (MIA) [FAT 005357]. Nauru Airlines already has a single 737-300F (27125, ex-Europe Airpost), as well as three […]