Boeing has delivered its 100th contracted B737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), which will serve the fast-growing e-commerce market.
AerCap, the world’s largest aviation lessor, took delivery of the aircraft that was converted at Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co (BSAS), home to the first B737-800BCF conversion line.
AerCap Cargo has leased the aircraft to GOL Linhas Aéreas which will operate the freighter for a Latin American e-commerce company.
“We are delighted to be a part of this significant milestone with our partners at Boeing,” said Rich Greener, head of AerCap Cargo.
“Since launching the 737-800BCF program with Boeing in 2016, the e-commerce market has grown at a phenomenal rate with increased demand from e-commerce retail businesses. “Thanks to its versatility and reliability, the B737-800BCF is becoming the workhorse for express air cargo and e-commerce networks.”
In 2016, AerCap Cargo was the launch customer for Boeing’s B737-800BCF program. Today, AerCap Cargo has the largest fleet of B737-800BCFs with 65 firm orders and nine options.
AerCap Cargo’s B737-800BCF customers include West Atlantic Group, Amazon Air, GOL and Kargo Xpress.
“We are honoured to celebrate this milestone with AerCap Cargo, a customer that has been an integral part of the 737-800BCF program’s success since program launch,” said Kate Schaefer, vice president of Boeing’s Commercial Modifications, Engineering & Specialty Products business.
She added: “Across five continents, our customers’ 737-800BCF utilization hours are far surpassing those of the previous generation fleet. It’s a testament to the important role these freighters play in unlocking market opportunities for our air cargo operators and their customers.”
Since program launch, BSAS has added a second conversion line for the B737-800BCF. It is now one of five global sites in three countries with B737-800BCF conversion capacity.
With up to 20% lower fuel use and CO2 emissions per tonne, B737-800BCF operators are carrying more payload with less fuel.
The in-service B737-800BCF fleet has already logged more than 70,000 flights, with average utilization of seven hours per day, more than double the typical utilization of older generation freighters in the same size category.
The B737-800BCF has more than 250 orders and commitments from over 20 customers.
