Launch customer for CRJ200 special freighter

Bombardier and Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI) have secured the first passenger to freighter conversion order for the CRJ200 SF (Special Freighter) aircraft.
Canada-based plane maker Bombardier Commercial Aircraft said that an entity owned by‎ the IFL Group of Waterford, Michigan, has signed a firm purchase agreement to acquire the first CRJ200 SF, with 6.7 tonnes main deck payload. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Prior to being delivered to IFL Group, the aircraft will be converted to all-cargo configuration by Miami-based AEI, a Bombardier-licensed third party supplemental type certificate (STC) provider for passenger-to-freighter conversions for CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft.
After conversion, the jet will join IFL Group’s fleet carrying cargo in North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
“We look forward to adding the Bombardier CRJ200 SF aircraft to our fleet,” said Michael Church, president, IFL Group, adding: “The CRJ200 aircraft has a proud history of dependability and reliability in the fast-paced world of regional airline operations and we are confident that its legacy will continue in our busy air freight environment where on-time performance is essential.” 
The freighters include a 238.7 x 195.6 cm cargo door and are marketed by AEI as CRJ100 and CRJ200 SF aircraft.  The CRJ200 SF can accommodate eight 256 cm x 223.5 cm pallet positions and transport a 4.5 tonnes payload up to 3,200 km and 6.8 tonnes up to 1,482 km.
“AEI is offering an outstanding opportunity for additional utilization of CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft in the secondary aviation market and we are delighted to welcome our first customer for the CRJ200 SF aircraft,” said Ross Mitchell, vice president, business acquisition, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
Mitchell added: “The re-configuration of CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft that are being phased out by airlines transitioning to larger regional aircraft provides an opportunity to set new standards for regional large door freighters.”
Robert Convey, vice president of sales and marketing, AEI, said: “We are seeing significant interest in the CRJ100 and CRJ200 passenger-to-freighter conversions. The dependability and affordable operating economics of both platforms make them particularly well suited for regional cargo and feed operations.”
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