Democratic Republic of Congo-based Serve Air has ordered its first B737-800SF freighter conversion from Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI).
Serve Air currently operates a mix of B727F, B737-300F and now the B737-800SF aircraft. The company expects to increase its fleet of AEI B737-800SF freighters to a total of six aircraft in the coming years.
The latest addition to the fleet (MSN 30517) has already commenced modification and will be redelivered to Serve Air in early November.
All conversion related touch labour and maintenance is being performed by the authorized AEI conversion Center, Commercial Jet in Dothan, Alabama.
“While the narrowbody conversion market demand from leasing companies has slowed over the last few months, new orders for our B737-800SF freighter coming directly from operators continues to remain strong,” stated Robert Convey, AEI senior vice president sales and marketing.
“Serve Air recently purchased an AEI B737-800SF from China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited and is currently operating the freighter.”
The company is the first operator of the B737-800SF in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Serve Air expects to increase its fleet of AEI B737-800SF freighters to a total of six aircraft in the coming years.
The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH.
The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, a large 86” x 137” Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.
Serve Air was established in 1993 as a registered business entity and came in to effect as a sole ownership through Harish Jagtani in 2003.
Jagtani has extensive experience in freight transportation aviation. The management of Serve Air is well versed in all governmental approval procedures, having traversed them in the past to a full approval and operational status.
The company’s commercial cargo aircrafts are already being marketed in all over country.
