Boeing has launched its 737-800 Next Generation Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), with the first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The manufacturer has 30 firm orders and 25 commitments for the 737-800BCF. It has secured firm orders from YTO Airlines has ordered 10 with commitments for an additional 10. China Postal Airlines has ordered 10, and GE Capital Aviation wants five. An unnamed customer has ordered five with two commitments. Boeing has also received 13 commitments from SF Airlines, Cargo Air and an unnamed customer.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes senior vice president Commercial Aviation Services, Stan Deal says: “While the recovery of the global cargo market has been slow, we see demand for freighters, such as the 737-800BCF, that will carry express cargo on domestic cargo.”
“Over the next 20 years, Boeing forecast customers will need more than 1,000 converted freighters the size of the 737, with China’s domestic air freight carriers accounting for nearly one-third of the total market.”
The 737-800BCF has a capacity of 23.9 tonnes and a range of 2,000 nautical miles. The aircraft has 12 pallet positions, 11 are standard with one half, providing 5,000 cubic feet of cargo space.
