In June 2019 ASL Aviation Holdings (ASL) announced its intention to purchase ten 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) aircraft, with an option for ten additional aircraft.
In January 2021 the global aviation services company took delivery of its first 737-800BCF and the following month it confirmed its options for the additional ten aircraft. With 11 of these aircraft now in service, ASL announced at the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) annual conference in Malta on Thursday, March 31, it has placed a new order for ten further 737-800 BCFs with options for ten more. The aircraft will be converted by Boeing at the approved MRO suppliers STAECO in Jinan, China and at Boeing’s MRO facility at London Gatwick Airport in the UK. It is anticipated conversions will begin in the second quarter of 2023 once the remaining first-order aircraft have been delivered.
Currently the 737-800 BCFs which have been re-delivered are being operated by ASL Airlines Belgium, ASL Airlines France and ASL joint-venture airline, K-Mile Asia, based in Bangkok, Thailand. The new aircraft have been earmarked for ASL’s airlines in Ireland, Belgium and France in Europe and joint venture airlines in Asia.
ASL Aviation Holdings Chief Executive Dave Andrew said, “This new order is an important element of our fleet renewal programme, and we are delighted to expand our partnership with Boeing on the 737-800BCF,” adding that: “The aircraft has proven itself to be an excellent fit with our customer and operational requirements throughout our European network of 100 airports.” “We are honoured to play a crucial role in the fleet renewal underway across ASL Aviation Holdings’ operation,” said Jens Steinhagen, Director of Boeing Converted Freighters. “Boeing Converted Freighters support progress towards sustainability goals by providing operators like those under the ASL Group umbrella an economical way to replace less efficient, older-generation freighters.”
The 737-800BCF is used primarily by ASL’s airlines to transport express cargo and e-commerce freight and can carry up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800 pounds) with a range up to 3,750 kilometres (2,025 nautical miles).
