West Atlantic Airlines - ATR 72-211(F) - G-CLNK - Swiftair CS

Thomas Masterman
Jersey - EGJJ
United Kingdom

 

BASEL AIRPORT - 09/2020

S5-ABO - A300-600F - MNG (DHL cs)

YL-RAK - ATR 72-500 - RAF AVIA

HB-ALN - ATR42 - ZIMEZ

 G-JMCZ - B737-400F - WEST ATLANTIC

Ton Jochems

The first Boeing 737-800BCF for West Atlantic in FedEx Express livery

Exciting to see the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter opening new doors for operators, particularly express cargo carriers. Operated by GECAS leasing customer West Atlantic, this 737-800 — the first BCF in FedEx Express livery — is preparing for its maiden revenue flight.

WEST ATLANTIC - B737-400F - G-JMCR

Ton Jochems

WEST ATLANTIC - B737-800F - G-NPTA

Brian Worthington

Boeing Delivers First 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter

Launch customer GE Capital Aviation Services takes delivery of first-in-service 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF)
Next-Generation 737 converted freighter is here

LEICESTERSHIRE, England, April 19, 2018 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the delivery of the first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The first customer is GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and the freighter will be operated by West Atlantic Group, based in Sweden.

“We’re excited to be the first operator of the 737-800BCF,” said West Atlantic’s chief executive, Fredrik Groth. “The additional capacity and Next-Generation efficiency offered by this new aircraft will deliver real benefit to our customers and we’re delighted to be at the forefront of deliveries of this new technology. With the 737-800 BCF, we expect to improve reliability, lower aircraft operating costs, and provide a better environmental footprint.”

West Atlantic will receive four 737-800 aircraft within the next 11 months and, once delivered, the company will operate 23 Boeing 737 freighter aircraft.

“We are very proud to be the launch customer for the 737-800 BCF, and pleased to supply this inaugural aircraft to West Atlantic,” said Richard Greener, GECAS’ Senior Vice President & Manager, Cargo Aircraft Group. “This freighter type is an important complement to our portfolio as we support our customers across expanding air cargo markets.”

Boeing’s Current Market Outlook forecasts that over the next 20 years, customers will need more than 1,100 standard-body converted freighters.

“The 737-800BCF brings customers the next generation of freighters,” said Mike Fleming, vice president, Commercial Services, Boeing Global Services. “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.”

Through its freighter conversion program, Boeing transitions passenger airplanes into freighters, extending the service life of the airplane. The 737-800BCF carries more payload – up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800 lbs) – and has longer range – 2,000 nautical miles (3,750 km) than other standard-body freighters – providing capability to open new markets. The 737-800BCF freighter also offers operators newer technology, lower fuel consumption and better reliability than other standard-body freighters. It primarily will be used to carry express cargo on domestic / short haul routes.

For the 737-800BCF, Boeing has received 45 orders and commitments, from seven customers including: YTO Airlines, based in Hangzhou, China; China Postal Airlines, based in Beijing, China; GECAS, based in Ireland; Air Algerie, based in Algiers, Algeria; LAS Cargo, based in Bogota, Colombia; Cargo Air, based in Sophia, Bulgaria ; and an unannounced customer.

Twelve pallet positions provide 4,993 cubic feet (141.4 cubic meters) of cargo space on the main deck of the 737-800BCF. This will be supplemented by two lower-lobe compartments, combined providing more than 1,540 cubic feet (43.7 cubic meters) of space for revenue-generating cargo.

Existing passenger airplanes will be modified at select facilities located near conversion demand, including Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co. Ltd., and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd., also known as STAECO, in China. Modifications include installing a large main-deck cargo door, a cargo-handling system and accommodations for up to four non-flying crew members or passengers.

West Atlantic expecting maiden B737-800BCF in mid-1Q18

West Atlantic Sweden (SWN, Gothenburg Landvetter) has confirmed it is expecting its first B737-800(BCF) to deliver during the first quarter of next year. In June this year, the Swedish freight specialist agreed to lease four aircraft of the type from GECAS with its original projections indicating a late 2017 delivery.

However, as the B737-800(BCF) programme's launch operator, West Atlantic said in its 2Q17 interim financial filing that the first aircraft, currently undergoing conversion at Boeing's modification facility at Shanghai Pudong, is on track to now deliver in February 2018. Thereafter, the second, third, and fourth aircraft are due in August, November, and February 2019.

Once completed, the B737-800(BCF) will be equipped with CFM56-7B engines, and will be able to carry up to 23.9 tonnes of cargo with twelve main deck positions over 2,000 nautical miles.

"The B737-800(BCF) will be an enabler for us to make a leap in reliability, capacity, and ability to expand in areas of the world away from our traditional markets, such as Asia," West Atlantic's CEO, Fredrik Groth, said at the time.

Specializing in mail and express freight, West Atlantic operates three B767-200(SF)s, thirty-two BAe ATP(F)s, and two CRJ-200(F)s while its Atlantic Airlines (UK) (NPT, Coventry) unit operates seven B737-300(F)s and nine B737-400(F)s (four of which are leased to EAT Leipzig).

WEST ATLANTIC- B737-400F - G-JMCZ

Ton Jochems - BSL

WEST ATLANTIC - B767-200F - SE-RLA

José Ramon Valero - MAD

WEST ATLANTIC - B737-300F - G-JMCT

Ton Jochems - TLS

WEST ATLANTIC - B737-400F - G-JMCV

Ton Jochems - AMS

WEST ATLANTIC - ATP - G-MANH

Ton Jochems - BSL

Atlantic Airlines (UK) takes delivery of first B737-400 freighter

Atlantic Airlines took delivery of its first B737-400(F) on April 26. Records show the aircraft, G-JMCR (msn 25372), was formerly with Turkish carrier, Sky Airlines.

The ch-aviation aircraft database shows the West Air Sweden subsidiary also operates five B737-300(F)s and eleven BAe ATP(F)s