Commercial aircraft leasing and financing group BBAM has placed a firm order for 12 more Boeing 737-800BCF freighter aircraft. BCF stands for Boeing Converted Freighter and indicates that the aircraft will be converted from standard 737-800 airliners into dedicated freighters.
BBAM had previously ordered 19 737-800BCFs, so the new order takes their firm commitment for the type to a total of 31. The increase in the number being acquired is driven by the expansion in the e-commerce and express cargo markets.
The conversion work on the aircraft will actually be undertaken in Costa Rica, by maintenance, repair and overhaul company Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (Coopesa). Boeing will open two freighter conversion lines at Coopesa next year.
“The Boeing Converted Freighter programme is extending the life and enhancing the value of the 737-800s in our fleet,” reported BBAM president and CEO Steve Zissis. “We are growing our Boeing order book to meet the strong demand we see worldwide for narrowbody freighters, and we are proud to be the launch customer for the conversion lines at Coopesa.”
“This most recent order underscores the continued strong demand for our market-leading freighter, and we are honoured by BBAM’s continued confidence in Boeing,” said Boeing freighter conversions director Jens Steinhagen. So far, 16 customers have ordered, or made commitments for, more than 200 737-800BCFs.