10 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018
News Review • Europe
BOEING COMMERCIAL Aircraft and GE
Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) have
handed over the first Boeing 737-
freighter to the programme’s launch
customer West Atlantic Group. The
aircraft, which has been converted from
passenger configuration, will be placed
onto the firm’s UK AOC and will be
operated – along with three others – in
Europe on behalf of a major integrator.
The idea to launch a conversion of the
737NG (Next Generation) germinated in
- Boeing, as the original equipment
West Atlantic takes the World’s first 737-800BCF
manufacturer (OEM), was determined
to offer the market its own BCF (Boeing
Converted Freighter) solution by re-
engineering derivatives from original
passenger versions with the benefit of
its extensive knowledge of the base air-
craft. It will support them with a range
of services and warrantees, just like any
new airframe. A survey pointed to 1,
aircraft being needed over the next 20
years, leading the manufacturer to for-
mally launch the programme in 2016.
Leasing company GECAS then came
onboard, sensing an opportunity to
roll -800s placed with passenger air-
lines over to cargo carriers as they are
replaced by the 737 MAX.
The 737-800 will be the primary focus
of the programme as there is a plenti-
ful feedstock available for conversion
(which will further improve as more
MAXs enter service) but a similar
project based around the -
may be started if sufficient
airframes become available.
The firm currently holds 45orders and commitments for -800BCFs
from West Atlantic, GECAS, Air Algerie,
Cargo Air, China Postal Airlines, Líneas
Aéreas Suramericanas (LAS Cargo), YTO
Airlines and an unannounced customer.Backed by Boeing
Mike Fleming, vice president,
Commercial Services, Boeing Global
Services explained that “the 737-
800BCF brings the next generation of
freighters to our customers. For the
first time, operators get one-stop shop
support throughout the lifecycle of a
standard-body freighter – originally
manufactured by Boeing, converted
by Boeing, and supported by Boeing.”
He clearly believes this is what sets the
737-800BCF apart from similar projects
under development by independents.
The aircraft is a 52,800lb (23.9 tonne)
payload freighter with 4,997cu ft
(141.5m ) of space on the main deck,
sufficient for 12 pallets (11 – 88x125in
[223x217cm]; 1 – 62x88in [157x223cm])- two more than can be loaded onto a
737-400. Another 1,543cu ft (43.7m ) of
bulk cargo can be placed in the lower
holds. It is well suited to missions
shorter than 2,000miles (3,218km)
which are the staple of the air cargo
industry, but can be flown up to 2,
miles (3,750km) to “provide capability to
open new markets”.
The -800BCF shares a common pilot’s
type rating with 737 classics (only
differences training is required) and is
expected to burn around 15% less fuel
than a -400. Parts, such as the cargo
door and roller floor, are manufactured
by Boeing and shipped to China for
installation by Boeing Shanghai Aviation
Services and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft
Engineering (STAECO).Leading the way
West Atlantic CEO Fredrik Groth
revealed he agreed to take the four
-800BCFs as a “leap of faith” over
drinks in a bar in Dublin during the 2016
Global Airfinance Conference. Two
years of hard work followed to get the
aircraft converted, certified and ontoLEFT Fredrick Groth, CEO of West Atlantic,
accepted the latest addition to the
airline’s fleet.The world’s first
Boeing 737-800BCF
was handed over to
West Atlantic during a
ceremony on April 19.
ALL PHOTOS KEY −
ANDY MARTIN