LONDON – Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has announced that Bulgaria-based CargoAir has ordered its 4th AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion. The aircraft, (MSN 30883) is slated to commence modification at the end of October 2022.
All conversion related touch labour will be performed by the authorized AEI conversion Center, Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida.
“The AEI B737-800SFs are part of our overall fleet revitalization program and will be used to incrementally replace our existing fleet of B737-300SF/-400SF freighters,” remarked CargoAir
Purchase and Fleet Acquisitions Director, Angel Petrov. “AEI has the best B737-800SF conversion on the market with features and reliability that support real life conditions.
Additionally, AEI provides flexible slots which substantially assists our overall fleet planning requirements.” CargoAir is an important, long-term customer for AEI.
Upon completion of this order, CargoAir will operate a total of 15 AEI freighters, including a mix of B737-300SF, B737-400SF, and B737- 800SF freighters.
AEI is currently the only conversion company to have ETOPS 180 approval on the 737-800 freighter conversion. Additionally, AEI can convert all 737-800 line number aircraft including those with Flat Aft Pressure Bulkheads, and Split Scimitar winglets.
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.
AEI’s forward-thinking design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient manoeuvring room which minimizes potential door and aircraft strikes.
Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and full lavatory.
About AEI Aeronautical Engineers, Inc.
(AEI) is the global leader in the aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversion business and is the oldest conversion company in existence today.
Since the company’s founding in 1958, AEI has developed over 130 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and has modified over 550 aircraft with the STCs.
AEI helps its customers extend aircraft life and increase the overall value of aircraft assets by continuously focusing on dependable and flexible product offerings.
AEI currently offers passenger-to-freighter conversions for the Boeing 737-800, 737-400, 737-300, MD-80 series, and CRJ200 aircraft.
About CargoAir
CargoAir is a Sofia, Bulgaria-based cargo airline. The company was founded in 1997, initially operating six AN-12 aircraft.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of three B737-300, eight B737- 400, and three B737-800 freighters.
CargoAir has established long-term operations for Integrated Express and Mail operators such as DHL and UPS and has contracted its freighter fleet to support their specific network requirements.
The company is also dedicated to ad hoc cargo charter flights worldwide, providing customer-oriented solutions for cargo brokers, freighter forwarders and logistics companies requiring the transportation of dangerous goods, special cargo, and outsized loads.
