ASL Order up to 20 Boeing 737-800 Converted Freighters
ASL Aviation Holdings and Boeing announced an agreement for 20 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters at the Paris Air Show last week. The announcement, which includes 10 firm orders and 10 purchase rights follows the operation of two leased B737-800BCFs on the ASL European network. The order brings the number of 737-800 freighter conversions to 120 orders and commitments, from eight customers.
“ASL is very pleased with how the flexibility and reliability of these freighters fulfil our operational needs in meeting our customer requirements,” said Hugh Flynn, Chief Executive, ASL Aviation Holdings. “The aircraft is highly efficient and right-sized for our developing operations on behalf of our express cargo customers who are experiencing growing demand. The 737-800BCF will also give us access to new markets.”
Boeing recently inaugurated new conversion lines at Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services (BSAS) and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company (STAECO), while looking to expand further. The program is committed to more than double 737-800BCF output this year, going from eight conversions in 2018 to 17 in 2019. Boeing predicts that 2,650 freighters will be delivered between 2018-2037, with more than 60 percent of these deliveries comprised of passenger-to-freighter conversions.
Already operating on four continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America) after entering service last year, the 737-800BCF is certified by various global regulators including the FAA, EASA, the Chinese CAA and Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency.
The 737-800BCF carries more payload – up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800 lbs.) – and flies farther – up to 2,000 nautical miles (3,750 km) compared to 737 Classic freighters. It also offers operators improved fuel efficiency, lower operating cost, and higher reliability than previous standard-body freighters.
ASL Aviation Holdings DAC is a global aviation services provider headquartered in Swords, Dublin. The group has 4 European airlines; ASL Airlines Ireland based in Dublin, ASL Airlines Belgium, based in Liege, ASL Airlines France, based in Paris-CDG and ASL Airlines Hungary, based in Budapest. ASL also has an associate airline, Safair, in South Africa, that operates civilian ‘Hercules’ aircraft on humanitarian missions in Africa. It also operates FlySafair, a leading low-cost domestic passenger airline based in Johannesburg. ASL also has joint venture cargo airlines in Thailand and India as well as maintenance facilities in Belgium and various aircraft leasing entities.
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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