Freighter conversion company Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) will carry out three Boeing 737-800SF freighter conversions for Canada-headquartered Air Inuit.
US-based AEI said two of the aircraft will be converted as combi passenger/cargo aircraft.
The first aircraft, (MSN 40852) is due to begin modification in November and will be redelivered in late March 2024.
Touch labour and maintenance will be performed by the AEI Conversion Centre, KF Aerospace in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
The second and third aircraft are expected to commence modification in March 2024 and July 2024 respectively.
“We are honoured that Air Inuit has selected the AEI B737-800SF freighter and combi as part of their fleet modernisation plans,” stated Robert Convey, AEI senior vice president of sales and marketing.
“We are pleased to partner with AEI for our freighter conversion needs for both our B738 freighter operations as well as for our soon-to-come innovative world’s first B738 combi aircraft,” added Christian Busch, Air Inuit’s president and chief executive.
The AEI-converted 737-800SF offers a maindeck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates 11 full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH.
The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, and a large 86” x 137” Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.
AEI’s design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb. This enables ground operators to have sufficient maneuvering room, which minimises potential door and aircraft strikes.
Additionally, the AEI 737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System.
Air Inuit's fleet includes the De Havilland Dash-8 Cargo 300, the De Havilland Dash-8 Combi 300, and the De Havilland Dash-8 Combi 100.
It also includes Boeing 737 300C and 737 200C aircraft.
Air Inuit states on its website: "Our Boeing 737 and Dash-8 can be configured to accommodate any kind of passenger or cargo transportation."
AEI said it is "the only conversion company that can convert any line number 737-800 aircraft, including these three aircraft which are all 2012 vintage".
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