South African Airways (SAA), the country’s State-owned flag-carrier that is currently executing a 90-Day Action Plan (designed to enable the airline to fully implement its already approved Long Term Turnaround Strategy), which is scheduled to be completed by March 24, has issued a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the replacement for its small fleet of cargo aircraft. The deadline for submissions is 11:00, South African time, March 31.

The RfP, in the words of the advertisement announcing it, is “for SAA Cargo Long Term Aircraft Fleet Replacement”. Below this phrase, it further states that “SAA is inviting suitably qualified service providers to tender for the above mentioned services.” A tender fee of R2 000 is required for each bid. The fee is not refundable.

Bid documents can be physically deposited in the tender box at SAA’s head office (Airways Park) at O R Tambo International Airport, or submitted electronically. The tender document is available on a page on the airline’s website.

Currently, SAA operates four dedicated cargo aircraft, largely on domestic routes, but they are also used for flights in Southern Africa. These are three Boeing 737-300Fs and one Boeing 737-400F. SAA’s air freight division, SAA Cargo, describes these aircraft as “short- to medium-haul freighters”.

Both the 737-300 and 737-400 are second-generation 737 types, following on from the first-generation 737-100 and 737-200 models. Boeing now describes second-generation 737s as 737 Classics. The 737 Classic models (-300, -400 and -500) were produced from 1984 to the end of 1999.

The 737 Classics were followed by the third-generation 737NG (for new generation). These are the 737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900. The first 737NG (a 737-700) made its maiden flight in 1997. Boeing is now working on the fourth-generation 737 MAX family, which should start entering service in 2017.

Each generation is more fuel-efficient and less costly to operate than its predecessor. The same applies to rival designs. Boeing can offer its 737-700C, which can be easily converted from a passenger layout to an all-cargo layout. Airbus, Boeing’s European rival, can offer freighter versions of its single-aisle A320-family airliners. And there are other companies which have been licensed to provide cargo conversions of 737NGs and A320-family aircraft. It is not clear whether SAA is seeking new or used aircraft, nor whether it seeks to buy or lease.