GECAS adds to B737 conversion order

Lessor GECAS is to take up to 20 more Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, having firmed up orders for 11 of the cargo jets.

GECAS’s top-up agreement – its third, and one which includes nine additional options – takes its overall orders for the type to 60 with 14 options.

Conversion of the 20 737-800BCF aircraft would take place over 2022-24, says the lessor.

Boeing launched the conversion programme with GECAS in 2016 and the lessor delivered the first 737-800BCF, to UK-Swedish cargo specialist West Atlantic Group, two years later.

GECAS has received 23 of the modified B737s for which it placed orders.

“The versatility and reliability of these freighters is appealing to our air cargo customers,” said GECAS Cargo senior vice-president Richard Greener.

He said the type, with its 23.9 tonne payload capability and 2,000nm range, is particularly adapted to the expanding express and e-commerce markets.

Orders for the B737-800F are beginning to take off as operators and lessors look for alternatives to the B737 classics, which are seeing feedstock begin to dry up.

Prices of feedstock have also been predicted to drop over the coming months as airlines weigh up what to do with older aircraft that have been taken out of action as a result of the coronavirus.