737

Boeing has signed an agreement with China Postal Airlines to supply ten next generation 737 Boeing converted freighters (BCFs) for an undisclosed sum.

The aircraft maker is launching its next generation 737 BCF programme by converting used 737-800 passenger planes into freighters.

Boeing collaborated with BFGoodrich Aerospace and InterContinental Aircraft Services (ICAS) to develop the 737 passenger to freighter conversion programme.

ICAS is an alliance of Air Asia, China Airlines, Evergreen Aviation Technologies, and Aerospace Industrial Development.

China Post and Hangzhou-based YTO Airlines will be the first customers of the next generation 737 BCF programme.

China Postal Airlines president Yufeng Li said: "This is a historic order both for China Postal and Boeing.

"The 737-800 BCF will bring to our freighter fleet more advanced avionics, better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs."

"The 737-800 BCF will bring to our freighter fleet more advanced avionics, better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs that will ensure China Postal’s continued success as a leader in the industry."

Conversion of a 737 passenger airplane to a freighter requires the removal of passenger features such as galley, lavatories and overhead stowage.

The aircraft will be modified to have a cargo door, reinforced main deck floor structure and freighter unique systems for main deck cargo handling and smoke detection.

The agreement also includes the purchase of seven Boeing 757-200s, which will be converted into freighters.

The converted 737-800 will be targeted towards customers in the narrow-body freighter market. The China air express market is expected to be one of the fastest growing segments of the world air cargo market, with a growth rate of 6.7%.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Northeast Asia Sales senior vice-president Ihssane Mounir said: "With its express market growing at a double-digit rate fueled by e-commerce, China has surpassed the United States to become the number one e-commerce market in the world."


Image: The 737-800 passenger plane will be converted to a freighter. Photo: courtesy of Eric Greer / Boeing.