Air Transport Services Group’s (ATSG) Ireland-based subsidiary ATSG West Leasing has purchased two Boeing 737-400 aircraft, which will be converted to freighter configuration for China’s Okay Airways.

To be placed on lease for seven years, the converted freighters are expected to be delivered later this year.

The aircraft will be converted by PEMCO World Air Services (PEMCO) at the company’s facilities at Tampa International Airport in Florida, US.

The converted 737-400s will be equipped with 11 pallet positions, and able to accommodate up to 48,000lb of payload.

With a total cargo capacity of 4,600ft², the aircraft will be converted following PEMCO’s supplemental type certificate.

“This initiative leverages the core capabilities of PEMCO, ATSG West Leasing and of our strategic partners in China.”

Once completed, Okay Airways will deploy the aircraft to support its express services for e-commerce and other companies operating in the domestic Chinese market.

ATSG West Leasing managing director Brad Heath said: “This initiative leverages the core capabilities of PEMCO, ATSG West Leasing and of our strategic partners in China.”

In addition, ATSG has partnered with Okay Airways, and China’s Tianjin Government affiliate, Tianjin Dongjiang Investment holdings, to establish a joint venture company to support the growing e-commerce market in the country.

In February, PEMCO secured a deal from China-based YTO Cargo Airlines to convert three B737-300 passenger aircraft into freighters.