Freight ASL confirms order for 10 converted 737-800 freighters

At Paris Air Show 2019, ASL Aviation Holdings ordered 10 firm Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, with the opportunity to add 10 more. This purchase option has now been exercised by the cargo operator.

Last month, the first aircraft of this order was delivered to ASL Airlines France and celebrated its entry into service shortly after. The second converted 737-800 will join ASL´s joint venture airline K-Mile Asia this month with entry into service planned for April. The remaining four aircraft are currently under conversion.

ASL Aviation Holdings Chief Executive, Dave Andrew, said: “The performance and reliability of the 737-800BCF make it the perfect fit for our combined fleet renewal and growth programmes and so we have moved to confirm our 10 options earlier than planned.”

He continued: “the aircraft offers an excellent option for our express cargo customers as they develop their networks to meet demand in the years ahead. It is ‘right-sized’ in payload and range and offers the improved carbon efficiency that ASL and our customers see as an essential element in fleet planning as we aim for future carbon neutrality”.

Jens Steinhagen, director of Boeing freighter conversions, added: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with ASL Aviation Holdings, which began at the Paris Air Show and was highlighted recently by their first 737-800BCF entering service […] We look forward to seeing how their growing fleet takes advantage of the 737-800BCF’s market-leading reliability and efficiency.”

The 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) is based on the Next-Generation 737 aircraft and meets customer demand for a newer-generation freighter aircraft that combines low fuel consumption with higher reliability than aging aircraft types.

The aircraft offers lower operational costs per trip and is capable of carrying up to 23.9 tones (52,800 pounds) of freight. The range of the 737-800BCF is at 3,750 kilometers (2,025 nautical miles), meaning that it is mainly used for short- to mid-haul operations.

ASL Airlines Holdings DAC transported 810,000 tons of cargo globally last year and the 737-800BCF will be mainly operated by European airlines to meet the requirements of ASL´s express integrator customers. The ASL brand includes 4 European airlines and further airlines in Thailand and South Africa.