Lessor Merx to add first converted 737-800SF freighter

Lessor Merx Aviation will add its first B737-800SF converted freighter to its fleet with work being carried out by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc (AEI).

The aircraft bearing manufacturer’s serial number 35131 has just commenced modification and is scheduled to be redelivered in August. An end customer has not yet been announced.

All touch labor for the conversion and maintenance requirements will be accomplished by the authorised AEI Conversion Center, KF Aero in Kelowna, Canada.

Gary Rothschild, chief executive of Merx, said: “We are pleased to have entered into this transaction with AEI and to add the 737-800SF, a mainstay of the global cargo fleet, to our portfolio. The type’s capacity, performance and versatility are well suited to a wide variety of operators around the world. We are pleased to be able to offer this aircraft to customers and look forward to continuing our relationship with AEI.”

While Merx owns and manages approximately forty-five B737NG aircraft, this order represents its first AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion.

The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 23.9 tonnes and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH.

The B737-800 freighter has been the most popular cargo conversion model so far in 2022, according to the latest research by consultant IBA.

IBA said that orders for conversion (P2F) of the narrowbody freighter had exceeded expectations.

The fleet has almost doubled in size, from 59 aircraft in April 2021 to 113 aircraft in April 2022, IBA said.

Damian Brett  www.aircargonews.net