NEW AIRLINE - United Nigeria inks Air Bissau relaunch with Guinea-Bissau

United Nigeria Airlines (UN, Enugu) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Guinea-Bissau to re-establish the country's national carrier, Air Bissau (Bissau), the Nigerian airline announced.
The agreement was signed in Bissau by Guinea-Bissau's Transport Minister, Florentino Mendes Pereira, and United Nigeria Airlines majority shareholder, chairman and CEO, Obiora Okonkwo.

Under the agreement, the parties will establish a joint venture (JV) to operate the new iteration of Air Bissau, which closed down in 1998.

Under the JV, United Nigeria Airlines will provide most of the investment, aircraft - most likely the airline's E145s - plus operational expertise and management. The Nigerian carrier will also supply an executive jet for use by the president and government of Guinea-Bissau.

For its part, the government has committed to designating Air Bissau as the country's official national carrier, giving it access to traffic rights under the country's bilateral air services agreement. It will also facilitate the airline's certification and licensing through the civil aviation authorities of Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria, while supporting airport infrastructure, customs, immigration, and security arrangements at Bissau, which will serve as the airline's base.

United Nigeria Airlines will also support the training of Air Bissau pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel and employ local staff where feasible. The memorandum stipulates that operational control and day-to-day management of the airline will rest with United Nigeria Airlines.

The MOU takes immediate effect and will remain valid for 18 months or until the parties conclude a definitive joint venture agreement.

The old Air Bissau operated between 1960 and 1998, serving domestic and regional routes with B727-200s, Fairchild F-27s, An-24s, and An-26s. Since then, the country has relied on ASKY Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and TAP Air Portugal for international connectivity.

Fleet expansion

Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines has taken delivery of the first of six B737-800s acquired from Southwest Airlines as part of its fleet expansion programme.

The 11.8-year-old N8642E (msn 42525) and 12.1-year-old N8627B (msn 36895) have been re-registered as 5N-CFC and 5N-CFB, respectively. According to ADS-B flight tracking data, 5N-CFB arrived in Lagos on June 13 after being ferried from Tallinn Lennart Meri via Algiers. Both aircraft were in Estonia since April 30 for painting and cabin reconfiguration in dual-class layouts.

In an interview with ch-aviation in May 2026, Okonkwo said United Nigeria Airlines was targeting a fleet of 22 aircraft by the end of 2026 as it expands into at least five or six African destinations and launches intercontinental operations.

Apart from the B737-800s, the in-house fleet comprises three E145s.

The airline currently relies heavily on wet leases, including two A320-200s from Fly2Sky; two CRJ900s from CemAir; and one E190 from Windrose Airlines.

According to Okonkwo, United Nigeria Airlines plans to wet-lease five more aircraft, including two A330-200s from Air Anka, two E190s from TrueNoord, and one more E190 from Windrose Airlines, all still to be deployed.

CH Aviation

FLEET - Air Transat looks to renew A330s in 2029-32

 Air Transat (TS, Montréal Trudeau) is approaching a pivotal moment in its fleet strategy, with the carrier expecting to decide within the next few years how to replace its ageing A330 fleet. While no formal decision has yet been taken, chief revenue officer Sebastián Ponce indicated that the timeframe for doing so is becoming increasingly clear.

The airline currently operates a fleet of A330-200s and A330-300s that remain well suited to its highly seasonal leisure business model. However, in an interview with ch-aviation during the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Ponce stressed that the A330s will eventually need to be replaced.

"At a point in time, we will need to replace our A330s. So even though we are very happy about them because they're low-cost old aircraft that fit very well into our seasonality, at a certain point around 2029-2032, we will be in need of replacing them. So we're working on that, how to replace them," he said.

The company operates a fully dry-leased fleet of eight A321-200s, nineteen A321-200NX(LR)s, thirteen A330-200s, and two A330-300s. The widebody fleet averages 20.5 and 18.7 years of age, respectively.

Potential for the XLR

Air Transat's only outstanding order is for four A321-200NY(XLR)s, which are scheduled to enter the fleet in late 2027. Ponce believes the aircraft will enable the airline to deepen its presence in thinner transatlantic markets that cannot sustain widebody operations. He described it as the natural evolution of the A321LRs already in the fleet.

Several potential markets are already being evaluated, including Rome Fiumicino and destinations in northern Italy, Central Europe, and North Africa. The executive added that the XLR could also improve the economics of existing routes currently operated by the LR, such as Lima International, where payload restrictions reduce the number of seats that can be sold.

However, all of this remains theoretical, as the performance of the XLR within Air Transat's specific operating environment still needs to be validated.

CH Aviation

AIRCRAFT / FLEET - Australia To The World, Non-Stop: Qantas To Launch History-Making Flights To London

Qantas will launch its world-first non-stop services between Sydney and London from October 2027, the first time the Kangaroo Route has ever been flown without stops from Australia's east coast.

Today’s announcement comes as the national carrier unveiled its first Airbus A350-1000ULR in Qantas livery at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse, the result of years of development to conquer the final frontier of long-haul aviation as part of Project Sunrise.

Qantas has been flying between Sydney and London since 1947, when the original Kangaroo Route took four days with seven stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito and Rome, on its way to the UK.

The new non-stop flights will cut up to four hours off the travel time compared to current one-stop services. These historic ultra long-haul services will operate alongside Qantas’ existing Perth-London and Sydney-Singapore-London services. The first Project Sunrise Sydney to London services will go on sale in February 2027.

The A350-1000ULR has been specifically manufactured by Airbus for Project Sunrise, fitted with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables the aircraft to fly more than 16,000 kilometres, for up to 22 hours non-stop. Qantas will take delivery of 12 aircraft in total, each configured with 238 seats across four cabins.

A second aircraft is moving through its eight-week testing and certification program, having taken flight for the first time earlier this month.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said confirmation of the launch route marks a new dawn of travel for customers around the world.

“Qantas was built on the belief that Australia's distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way. The pioneering spirit of generations of our people has forged that path ever since, and today is the most significant step in that mission in our 105-year history.

“Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we're taking out the last one.

“We made a commitment in 2017 that Qantas would conquer the final frontier of long-haul aviation and connect Australia's east coast directly to London, something that has never before been possible. From October 2027, that promise becomes reality.”

Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell said:

“Every year millions of people travel between Australia and the United Kingdom to visit family, for holidays or for business, and from 2027 the journey will become more comfortable, quicker and easier.

“This is a significant milestone for aviation and tourism in both Australia and the UK and a demonstration of the strong friendship between our two nations.

“Australia is a world class tourism destination and the new direct route launched by Qantas will help bring more people to our shores to experience the best we have to offer.”

UK Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

“This is a historic moment, not just for British aviation and tourism, but for the millions of passengers who will experience flying from Sydney to London non-stop for the first time.

“Qantas' decision to make London the first destination for Project Sunrise is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK as a hub for global tourism, and a reflection of the deep ties between our two countries.

“Today marks a new phase of this role, opening up new opportunities for businesses, tourism, and the people who make both possible across Australia and the UK.”

New research shows that Australians' appetite for non-stop, ultra long-haul flying has continued to grow, with intent to book rising from 58 to 70 per cent since February this year. Among premium travellers, that figure reaches 80 per cent, up 12 percentage points over the same period.

Since 2018, more than 1.7 million passengers have flown on Qantas' non-stop long-haul services from Perth to London, Rome and Paris, and its Melbourne to Dallas and Auckland to New York services, with these routes recording the highest customer satisfaction scores on the airline’s international network. Daily non-stop services between Sydney and London from late 2027 will significantly expand travel options for customers across Australia travelling to the UK and Europe.

Ms Hudson said the Project Sunrise experience represents a fundamentally different approach to long-haul travel.

“Eliminating the stopover saves customers up to four hours of travel time. This aircraft has been designed from the ground up for ultra long-haul travel, with a cabin built around science and combatting jetlag, with an onboard experience purpose-built for the length of the journey.”

In preparation for the aircraft’s arrival next year, Qantas pilots have commenced training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney and with British Airways in the UK. Over the coming months, some of its pilots will also fly with Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong.

Qantas’ current A330 pilots are making up the initial intake of Project Sunrise pilots, with 40 already in the process of training for the A350 alongside their existing A330 flying.

In total, more than 360 Qantas pilots and 1,200 cabin crew will be trained to operate Qantas’ fleet of Project Sunrise aircraft by the time the 12th A350ULR arrives.

On the ground, Qantas engineers have also started classroom training in Sydney and cabin crew will do the same shortly.

Project Sunrise will eventually connect Australia’s east coast with other international destinations, with Sydney-New York confirmed as the next service to follow Sydney-London. Launch timing for these services will be announced next year.

QANTAS

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Ghana Airways was the national flag carrier of Ghana from 1958 until it collapsed and ceased operations in 2004, eventually being liquidated in 2005

Flyingphotos - 9H-PHN - LHR, UK

Operations (1958–2004): Founded shortly after Ghana's independence, it served as a major Pan-African airline with flights to London, New York, and various regional hubs.Collapse: Decades of political management, heavy debt, and operational issues led to the airline's eventual downfall and liquidation in 2005.Ghana International Airlines: Operated briefly between 2005 and 2010 but also suspended operations.

IATA - GH

ICAO - GHA

Call sign - GHANA

Founded - 4 July 1958

Commenced operations - 16 July 1958

Ceased operations - June 2005

Hubs - Accra International Airport

Fleet size - 2

Destinations - 4

Parent company - Government of Ghana

Headquarters - Accra, Ghana

9G-ANA (c/n 48286 l/n 369, series -30) was built for the African airline and delivered in February 1983. It remained in the fleet 'till the shut-down of the company, being impounded few times (in LHR and also in FCO).

September 1987 - Collection Guido Allieri

Fleet:

Airbus A320 - 1

BAC Vickers VC-10 - 2

Bristol 175 Britannia - 5

Convair 990 - 2

Douglas DC-8 - 3

McDonnell Douglas DC-9 - 8

McDonnell Douglas DC-10 - 6

McDonnell Douglas MD-11 - 1

9G-AND (c/n 46712 l/n 2106, series -30) was built for Pan Am and ended its career in Ghana, after it being acquired in October 2003 by the African airline.
Dusseldorf on October 28th, 2003, showing the plane in non-standard white colors.

Collection Guido Allieri

AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Aviolet was a Serbian regional airline and a dedicated charter brand launched by Air Serbia in May 2014.

Primarily operating holiday flights out of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport to tourist destinations in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey, the brand ceased operations in 2021 when its charter services were fully absorbed by Air Serbia.

Boeing 737-300 -

(YU-AND, YU-ANI, YU-ANJ, YU-ANK)

Hub: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

SPECIAL COLOURS - Harbour Air is celebrating the FIFA World Cup with a special livery on a De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter

C-GOPP - De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter

Photos: Harbour Air

 

AIRPORT - Dusseldorf Rhein-Ruhr Int'l Airport-EDDL-Germany

Markus Altmann

 

SPECIAL LIVERY - JSX / ATR 42-600 / N409SV - "Spirit of Santa Monica"

Duncan Stewart - LAX

FLEET - Bridges Air Cargo receives its second Embraer E190F.

Bridges Air Cargo now operates two converted Embraer E190 cargo planes.

Bridges Air Cargo has put its second Embraer E190F freighter into commercial service, becoming the only airline currently operating the cargo version.
 

FLEET - China Southern Airlines welcomed its 11th homegrown C919 aircraft into the fleet.

Our C919 fleet has operated more than 11,000 flights across multiple commercial routes, serving over 1.55 million passengers.

China Southern

 

LA COMPAGNIE / A321NEO / F-HNCO

Ton Jochems 
 

ANIMA WINGS / A220-300 / YR-FUN

Ton Jochems 
 

Swift Air / Airbus A321-231P2F / EC-OHH

Ton Jochems - RNS
 

AIRLINE - Norwegian to acquire Nordic Leisure Travel Group

Norwegian announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Nordic Leisure Travel Group, a company owning travel brands like Ving, Spies, and Sunclass Airlines.

With this deal, Norwegian is set to incorporate a third airline-brand into its group. Previously, in January 2024, the company also finalized the acquisition of Widerøe.

Sunclass Airlines' history dates back to January 1994 when it was founded as Premiair. In 2002, the airline was rebranded into MyTravel Airways Scandinavia, mirroring the brand of its UK-owner. In May 2008, the airline was rebranded again, this time as Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia as Thomas Cook acquired MyTravel.

After the demise of Thomas Cook in October 2019, investors bought various pieces, including the airline, which was rebranded into Sunclass Airlines in December 2019.

Today, the airline has its main base at Copenhagen-Kastrup but also operates from other airports in Scandinavia. It does so with its all-Airbus fleet that is made-up of six A321s, three A321neos, and three A330-900s.

Scramble

SPECIAL LIVERY - ALLEGIANT AIR / Airbus A320-214 / N256NV - "Celebrating AMERICA SINCE 1776"

Photo: Steven L

SPECIAL LIVERY - QANTAS / B787-9 / VH-ZNJ - "100th Anniversary"

 Duncan Stewart

FLEET - Aerolineas Argentinas expects the first of around six B737-10 aircraft to arrive via lease in 2027.

The first A330neo is not expected until the around 2030, with interim A330s be used in the meantime. The E190 fleet will be maintained.

Aviator / Aerolineas Argentinas

FLEET - Virgin Australia expects to take delivery of its first of 10 B737-10 in late 2027, marking the next phase of the airline’s fleet renewal program.

The airline will take delivery of an additional seven B737-8s before the end of 2026, bringing its total B737-8 fleet to 26.

FLEET - Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of the first of two DHC6-300-G, serial 1002, which it purchased in 2025 from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada.

Image: Ethiopian
 

FLEET - Dutch Masterpieces Take Flight with KLM

The first KLM Airbus A350 will be named The Night Watch, after the renowned painting by Rembrandt. With this aircraft, KLM is introducing a new naming theme for the Airbus A350 fleet, inspired by famous Dutch works of art. KLM expects to receive its first Airbus A350 at the end of August.

Dutch Masterpieces as a Naming Theme

For more than a century, KLM has connected the Netherlands with the rest of the world. For the Airbus A350 fleet, KLM has chosen to name its aircraft after iconic Dutch artworks. The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated paintings and is arguably the country’s best-known work of art. Visitors from around the world travel to the Rijksmuseum to see it. The first aircraft therefore carries a name that is deeply rooted in Dutch culture and instantly recognizable around the globe.

First Commercial Flight in September

The Airbus A350 is part of KLM’s ongoing fleet renewal. The aircraft is quieter and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation of aircraft it will replace. The aircraft is being built in Toulouse and has now been fully painted in KLM’s distinctive livery. Over the coming months, it will undergo final preparations before being delivered to KLM at the end of the summer. The aircraft is scheduled to operate its first passenger flight in September, with Toronto as its inaugural destination.

Certification of World Business Class Seats

The Airbus A350 features a total of 331 seats: 34 seats in World Business Class (WBC), 26 seats in Premium Comfort, and 271 seats in Economy Class. Due to a revised interpretation of regulatory requirements by the aviation authorities, certification of the World Business Class seats has not yet been completed. As a result, these seats will unfortunately not be available when the first two aircraft enter service. The seat manufacturer is working hard to complete the certification process as quickly as possible and make this cabin class available to customers at the earliest opportunity. Premium Comfort, which offers additional legroom, enhanced comfort, and a dedicated onboard dining experience, will be available from day one.

Fleet Renewal

Over the coming years, KLM will invest €7 billion in fleet renewal. In addition to the introduction of the Airbus A350 and the Airbus A350F, this investment includes new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft for KLM Cityhopper, the latest Airbus A321neo aircraft for European routes, of which KLM currently operates sixteen, and new Boeing 787 aircraft for intercontinental services.

KLM
 

EFW redelivers its First A330P2F Aircraft to Air Lease for Awesome Cargo

• This freighter aircraft is the first A330P2F to be registered in Mexico, and will be operated by Mexican airline Awesome Cargo.

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), Centre of Excellence for Airbus freighter conversions, today announced it has redelivered the first of three A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft to Air Lease, a leading global aircraft leasing company with over 800 owned, managed and on order aircraft in its fleet.

The redelivered A330-200P2F aircraft will be operated by Mexican airline Awesome Cargo. It is the first A330P2F aircraft to be registered in Mexico after EFW received the validated STC (V-STC) for its A330-200P2F and A330-300P2F solutions by the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil Mexico (AFAC) in November 2024.

operator Awesome Cargo in its mission to serve key routes across Mexico, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, some of the fastest-growing regions in e-commerce. We look forward to redelivering more Airbus P2F solutions which combine sustainability with efficiency to meet the fleet needs of our lessor and operator customers.”

“Through this conversion programme, Awesome Cargo is committed and focused on offering unique and attractive alternatives to its clients: increasing the fleet with aircraft that are highly efficient in fuel consumption and cargo capacity compared to aircraft of the same class,” said Luis Ramos, CEO of Awesome Cargo. “We are adopting a strategic approach that balances fleet expansion with market demand and operational efficiency; working together with e-commerce platforms and logistics providers in order to align its services with customer needs, and raising all the reliability indices of its operation, making it efficient, competitive and safe.”

The todays re-delivered A330P2F is EFW’s number 60 Airbus widebody freighter of the new conversion programme provided to the market. The EFW A330P2F programme comes in two variants – the A330-200P2F and the A330-300P2F – both of which are equipped with advanced technology that offer airlines impressive operational and economic benefits. The A330-200P2F can carry a gross payload of up to 60 tons for over 7,700 km, while the A330-300P2F offers a gross payload of up to 62 tons and a containerised volume of up to ~18,581ft3 (~526m3), bringing a new paradigm of efficiency with up to 23% more cargo volume than other freighter aircraft in the same class.

The freighter aircraft is equipped with a flight crew rest compartment and centre fuel tanks, allowing for both medium haul as well as long haul flights supporting routes connecting Mexico and China. The conversion freighter also utilises a powered cargo loading system suitable for extra-large or heavy cargo on 16-foot or 20-foot pallets.

The Mexican airline had previously operated freighter aircraft that were temporarily modified from passenger aircraft to carry cargo in the main cabin. Building on this experience with light freighters, the airline has now turned to fully converted freighter aircraft, selecting EFW’s A330-200P2F solution to support its growing air cargo operations.

“We are very grateful for Air Lease’s confidence in our A330P2F solution, the most modern converted freighter in the market,” said Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW. “This milestone redelivery marks a significant step in supporting the

SPECIAL LIVERYS - United Celebrates America with Custom 250th Anniversary Livery and Military Pilot Hiring Program Milestone

United's new "Stars and Stripes" livery takes to the skies this summer on a U.S.-built Boeing 787-10 and Boeing 737-800 featuring a bold red, white and blue design

Nearly 600 pilots have transitioned from military service to United since 2024 through its military pilot pathway program

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy and United CEO Scott Kirby visit Washington Dulles International Airport to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and the airline's pilot hiring milestone

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United today unveiled a new specialty "Stars and Stripes" livery that celebrates the nation's 250th anniversary and announced a milestone to the airline's United Military Pilot Program, an initiative that provides currently serving active-duty U.S. military pilots access to a conditional job offer with the airline much earlier than they were previously afforded.

Since 2024, nearly 600 military pilots have transitioned to United through the program, with 500 more expected by the end of 2027.

To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, United's new specialty livery takes to the skies this summer on a U.S.-built Boeing 787-10 and Boeing 737-800. Painted in Amarillo, Texas, the bold red, white and blue design features 50 stars representing states across the country, while diagonal red and white stripes reflect the energy and momentum of a nation always moving forward. Both aircraft will include a commemorative plaque dedicated to United's active-duty service members and veterans who have selflessly served our country.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy and United CEO Scott Kirby were joined by United employees, including those from United's Veterans' Business Resource Group, and local dignitaries at Washington Dulles International Airport to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and the airline's pilot hiring milestone.

"America is the greatest country in the world, and we're proud to play a role in celebrating our nation's 250th anniversary," said Kirby. "For 100 years of that history, United has been a pioneering U.S. company, investing in people and communities across the country. Today, we proudly employ more than 8,300 military veterans, of which 1,500 are active members of the National Guard and Reserve forces. Our 'Stars and Stripes' livery pays tribute to their service to our country that continues to make America strong."

"It's great to see United join this administration's call to celebrate America's historic birthday," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "This patriotic design will remind the American people of the many freedoms we enjoy and how lucky we are to be part of the Great American Experiment!"

United's Support of Military and Veterans

United supports service members, veterans and military families through hiring programs, employee engagement and military-focused organizations in communities across the United States.

United Military Pilot Program: This initiative offers active-duty and active reserve military pilots a path to a United flight deck with a conditional job offer as a First Officer. Candidates must be more than 12 months away from the date of availability to start full-time with United, and a minimum of 12 months from the separation date. Applicants are not required to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate at the time of application to receive a conditional job offer, providing flexibility for service members, including starting at United when the time is right for them and their families. Currently, United has over 18,000 pilots, including more than 4,500 who are veterans.
United for Veterans: United's business resource group for employees who are military veterans, service members and their supporters includes more than 5,300 members and supports the company's efforts to recruit, develop and retain veteran talent across the airline.
United Support for Military Organizations: United supports organizations serving veterans, service members and their families through flight support for veterans to visit memorial sites in the nation's capital and around the world, career mentorship, volunteerism and other in-kind contributions. This includes support for organizations such as the USO, the Greatest Generations Foundation, as well as the Fisher House Foundation where United has provided more than 16,000 flights to military and veteran families in need, and United teams across the country have volunteered at local Fisher Houses helping cook meals, garden and decorate homes for the families who stay there.
United's Miles on a Mission: MileagePlus® members can donate unused miles to the USO to support traveling service members and their families, as well as directly to Fisher House Foundation's Hero Miles program to help bring family members to the bedside of injured service members.

FLEET - Kenya Airways Pushes MAX Entry Into Service to 2027, Weighs E2 and 777F Additions

Kenya Airways has decided to delay the entry into service of its first Boeing 737 MAX jets to early 2027, citing cash constraints stemming from the outbreak of the war in Iran, its interim chief executive told Air Transport World (ATW) on the sidelines of the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Newsaero

AIRPORT - Rome Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino - LIRF - Italy

Gianluca Mantellini
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Volaris launches special pink design for Airbus A321neo to celebrate 20 years of operations.

Volaris

SPECIAL STICKER - The Boeing 767-300ER (registration ZS-NEX) from the South African company Aeronexus was chartered by Azul Linhas Aéreas to transport the Brazilian National Football Team to the World Cup in the United States.

The aircraft offers exclusive business class service, operating with a VIP configuration of 96 seats.

AZUL

NEW AIRLINE - Cargo Wings Express Obtains Air Operator Certificate (Tunisia)

Tunisian carrier Cargo Wings Express announced on Thursday that it has obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, clearing the way for the launch of its commercial cargo operations. 

Tunisian carrier Cargo Wings Express has acquired two Boeing 737-300 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft as it prepares to begin operations.