SPECIAL LIVERY / Retrojet c/s - Northern Air Cargo / Boeing 737-800BCF / N3160G

Photo: Northern Air Cargo 

FLEET / ROUTES - MJets Air operates its first B737-800F to the United Arab Emirates.

Malaysia's MJets Air has launched a weekly cargo route linking Malaysia and India to the United Arab Emirates.
 

ROUTES - TAAG Cargo fly to Lusaka

 

TAAG

TAAG Angola's cargo division Airlines operated its inaugural air cargo service to Lusaka

Ukraine's Supernova Airlines to operate for Stellavia

Supernova Airlines (P7, Kyiv Boryspil) has signed a new commercial agreement with Portuguese air logistics company and virtual carrier Stellavia Airlines to operate a weekly route between Muscat and Larnaca. The Ukrainian airline began deploying its only aircraft, B737-800(BDSF) UR-NPA (msn 34970), on the route on March 19, 2026.

CH Aviation

FLEET - KF completes Air Inuit B737-800 Combi conversion

The first 737-800 Combi has completed conversion ahead of certification and entry into service with Air Inuit. The 2012-vintage aircraft (40852, ex-Comair) is in a five-pallet, ninety-seat configuration, and its first commercial flight is planned for November after obtaining its Transport Canada STC in the coming weeks, Air Inuit told Cargo Facts

Photo: Air Inuit

 

FLEET - Surinam Airways is set to enter the dedicated cargo market by adding its first 737-800 freighter.

Surinam Airways Cargo / 737-8AS(BCF) / PZ-TCY 
Photo: Milan Cibulka

The South American carrier is preparing to take delivery of a 2003-vintage 737-800BCF (33719) on lease from BBAM, which had previously placed it with AirExplore.

AIRLINE - Bluorbit (Budget Lines) / : Boeing 737-8AS(BCF) / PS-GFH

Photo: Solon Tsimpoukis

 

Thai airline Budget Lines has created Bluorbit, headquartered in Singapore. The airline received its operating license from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand in 2022 and has launched routes that include India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

Super Nova Airlines / B737-800WF / UR-NPA

Ton Jochems - PRG
 

FLEET - PRIME AIR / B737-800WF / EI-DAC

Ton Jochems
 

FLEET - 2Excel to replace B727-200s with B737-800s

On 22 May 2025, 2Excel announced it has been awarded a new 20-year contract by OSRL to support aerial oil spill response capabilities. As part of that deal, the company will replace its current two Boeing B727s with two B737-800s.

Similar to the two B727s, the B737-800s will be converted in-house by 2Excel to be able to spray dispersant chemicals to contain oil spills. The plan is to have the duo of aircraft operational by 2028. From then, they are available to support worldwide calamaties within six hour notice.

2Excel has been working together with OSRL since B727-2S2F G-OSRA (22938) was delivered to them in June 2013. The second B727-2S2F, G-OSRB (22929) was delivered in August 2014.

Illustration: 2Excel Aviation.

 

FLEET - US-Bangla Airlines wet leases BBN Airlines Indonesia B737s

US-Bangla Airlines (BS, Dhaka) has wet leased two B737-800s from BBN Airlines Indonesia (0B, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta). The first, PK-BBH (msn 36121), ferried to Dhaka on March 31, 2025, and commenced operating for US-Bangla the following day. The second B737, PK BBG (msn 39390) is due to ferry to Bangladesh in early May.

Both aircraft are configured in an 189-passenger all-economy class layout. They will operate international routes from Dhaka to the Middle East, Thailand, Maldives, and Singapore. The aircraft and crew are fully based in Dhaka. FlightRadar24 ADS-B data indicates PK-BBH is primarily flying on the Dhaka-Singapore Changi and Dhaka-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi city pairs.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our expansion within the Asian market,” said BBN Airlines Indonesia Chairman Martynas Grigas.

The second B737-800 will begin operating for US-Bangla Airlines after finishing a five-month wet-lease contract with Sriwijaya Air (SJ, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta). "We’re signing a couple more agreements,” Grigas told ch-aviation in February.

BBN Airlines Indonesia has enjoyed a strong take-up of its ACMI product since securing its air operator's certificate in 2023. However, it hasn't all gone to plan. Among other things, it is suing SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) for almost USD6 million after wet leasing three B737-800s to it during the 2024 IATA summer but not getting paid.

“US-Bangla has been consistently seeking credible partners for ACMI leases, and with BBN Airlines Indonesia now on board, this marks our second ACMI partnership with Avia Solutions Group,” said Jitendra Pandey, US-Bangla Airlines' commercial chief.

In addition to PK-BBH, US-Bangla currently wet-leases another B737-800, from SkyUp MT. It also operates five of its own B737-800s, one DHC-8-Q400, one (wet leased) B737-200(F), ten ATR72-600s, and two A330-300s. US-Bangla Airlines flies to 21 airports in 11 countries.

Avia Solutions Group, parent entity of BBN Airlines Indonesia, says a quick turnaround time was a hallmark of this wet leasing deal. The parties completed all operational preparations, including aircraft positioning, regulatory compliance, and crew readiness, within four weeks. In addition to BBN Airlines-supplied crew, a representative crew member from US-Bangla will also be present on each flight.

CH Aviation

FLEET - BBN Airlines Indonesia announces the addition of three B737-800 and one B737-400F, as the carrier looks to improve its charter flight services in Indonesia from early March 2024.

 BBN Airlines Indonesia’s strategic plan is to be able to operate a total of 40 aircraft by the end of 2027.

BBN Airlines

NEW AIRLINE - Camex Adria Airlines (Slovenia) received its European AOC from the Slovenia CA

The carrier aims to begin operations in late January 2024, with one B737-800BCF, serial 33973, flying in Europe and the Middle East.

 

FLEET - KUAYUE EXPRESS / B737-8FH(BCF)(WL) / B-5333

Jay Lee

Nanjing | Lukou [NKG/ZSNJ] - China
 

NEW AIRLINE - Mexico's Awesome Cargo partners with WestJet on US feed

Awesome Cargo (WIN, México City Felipe Angeles) has signed a strategic agreement with WestJet Cargo, wherein the Canadian carrier will operate B737-800(BCF)s on behalf of the Mexican one on US-Mexico routes.

The partnership will begin on December 4, 2023, and will initially see WestJet Cargo operating between Los Angeles International and Chicago O'Hare on the US side and México City Felipe Angeles and Guadalajara on the Mexico side "multiple times per week". The operations will feed Awesome Cargo's hub at Mexico City Felipe Ángeles, where the airline bases its two A330-200s in makeshift freighter configurations.

"This partnership is a significant milestone for Awesome Cargo. By uniting forces with WestJet Cargo, we expand our reach into North America and contribute to the evolution of air cargo transport in the region," chief executive Luis Ramos explained.

WestJet currently operates four B737-800(BCF)s under the WestJet Cargo brand, albeit with no separate AOC. The Canadian airline debuted its freighter operations in April 2023 and currently deploys the aircraft on scheduled and charter flights predominantly within Canada, as well as to Chicago O'Hare and Havana International. It has signalled ambitions to enter the US-Latin America cargo market though while speaking of plans to establish a base at Miami International.

WestJet Cargo Executive Vice-President Kirsten de Bruijn confirmed to ch-aviation that the airline will operate under its own code, rather than Awesome Cargo's. It will dedicate two B737-800(BCF)s to the partnership.

For its part, Awesome Cargo - which obtained its Air Operator's Certificate in late October 2023 - has touted plans to add two B737-800 freighters by the end of 2023.

CH Aviation

 

FLEET - Oman Air Cargo Marks Delivery of First 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter

Oman Air Cargo has received delivery of its first dedicated cargo aircraft, a 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The fuel-efficient aircraft boasts up to 20 percent lower fuel use and CO2 emissions per tonne compared to the previous generation of standard-body freighters, and will support the airline’s growing customer base with the ability to carry up to 23.9 tonnes of freight at a range of 3,750 km.

The delivery marks a significant milestone for Oman Air as it continues to pursue its ambitious cargo growth strategy and support the development of Oman’s air cargo logistics sector. At the end of the first half of 2023, the airline reported a 42 percent increase in cargo volumes, compared to the same period in 2022, driven primarily by capacity expansion across its passenger airplane fleet. With its latest addition, Oman Air is well-positioned to further capitalise on Muscat’s strategic location connecting East and West, while ensuring the seamless movement of cargo through its state-of-the-art hub at Muscat International Airport.

OMAN AIR

DUBAI AIR SHOW 2023 - Oman Air Takes Delivery of First 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter

- 737-800BCF offers needed cargo capacity and range for Oman Air customers
- Dedicated freighter contributes to Oman Air's cargo growth strategy

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Oman Air announced an order and delivery of the operator's first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The order is the first dedicated cargo aircraft for the Muscat-based carrier.
Oman Air Cargo saw its cargo volume increase 42 percent during the first half of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, driven primarily by capacity expansion across its passenger airplane fleet. With the ability to carry up to 23.9 tonnes of freight at a range of 3,750 km, the 737-800BCF will contribute to continued capacity growth.

"The freighter will contribute to the growth of the air cargo logistics sector in Oman and beyond, will be based at our strategically located Muscat hub and will enhance our ability to connect East and West," said Oman Air.
"The 737-800BCF brings the right payload and range to complement Oman Air's passenger fleet with dedicated cargo capacity," said Kate Schaefer, vice president of Boeing Commercial Modifications. "We are honored to partner with Oman Air Cargo to support their operation with a proven and reliable freighter.
Built on one of the industry's most efficient and reliable platforms, the 737-800BCF is designed for customers who are responding to increased cargo demand, optimizing fleets, or replacing older freighters. Compared to the previous generation of standard-body freighters, the fuel efficient 737-800BCF has up to 20 percent lower fuel use and CO2 emissions per tonne.
Touch labor for the freighter conversion was completed at Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (STAECO).
 

NEW MODEL IN THE FLEET - Modern Logistics takes first B737-800(BCF)

Modern Logistics (WD, Sao Paulo Guarulhos) took delivery of its first B737-800(BCF) on October 2, 2023.

2-BPDK (msn 33566) was ferried after storage at Haikou via Doha Hamad International, Malta International, and Sal Amilcar Cabral International to Sao Jose dos Campos over the course of September 30-October 2, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. It will be re-registered in Brazil as PP-YBF. The 19.2-year-old aircraft is owned by BBAM and was last in service, still in passenger configuration, with Ryanair. The aircraft was delivered to Brazil in full Modern Logistics livery.

Modern Logistics expects to take its second B737-800(BCF) in the second quarter of 2024 and is evaluating adding a further two going forward.

The Brazilian cargo specialist currently operates two B737-300(F)s and one B737-400(SF), the ch-aviation fleets advanced module show

CH Aviation

 

FLEET - DRC's Serve Air Congo to grow B737-800 freighter fleet

Serve Air Cargo (Kinshasa N'Djili) is planning to grow its B737-800(SF) fleet to six having just ordered its second of the type.

N157TS (msn 30517) was ferried for conversion at Dothan on June 17, 2023. The redelivery to the Democratic Republic of Congo is planned for early November 2023. The aircraft will join 9S-ATT (msn 30516), which was delivered to the airline earlier this year. Both aircraft are of ex-Air China stock.

Serve Air Cargo did not provide a timeline for the addition of the other four B737-800(SF)s.

The aircraft will join the carrier's previous-generation fleet of five B727-200(F)s and four B737-300(F)s, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows.

CH Aviation

NEW AIRCRAFT - Texel Air launches new subsidiary in New Zealan

Texel Air from Bahrain officially launched a new subsidiary in New Zealand. The company, called Texel Air Australasia, is based at Auckland and registered its first aircraft at the end of May. The aircraft involved, B737-800BCF ZK-TXE (29985), had already been flying in New Zealand since April 2023 but then still as A9C-GWC. It's currently being deployed on behalf of NZ Post between Auckland and Christchurch.

This year, the new company is planning to expand the fleet with two additional B737-800BCFs, which are expected to be delivered before the end of this year.

Texel Air was established in 2013 in Bahrain. Next to its New Zealand-subsidiary, it operates a fleet of one B737-300QC, two B737-700FCs, and two B737-800BCFs.

Photo by Texel Air Australasia.