Air Inuit has placed an order for three Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which will be converted into freighters by Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI). The first aircraft, which is just 11 years old, will undergo conversion in November of this year and is scheduled for delivery by the end of March 2024.
The Boeing 737-800 is already in the possession of Air Inuit. It bears a Canadian registration, C-FTUW, and was previously owned by the South African company Comair. On August 25, it arrived at Kelowna Airport (YLW) after a two-day journey from Johannesburg (JNB), with layovers at Santo Tomé (TMS), Santo Tomé and Príncipe; Santa Maria (SMA), Azores Islands, Portugal; and Montreal (YUL), Canada.
Also, see: Air Inuit will modernize its fleet with three Boeing 737-800 aircraft
The conversion process of these three aircraft will be carried out by AER, KF Aerospace in Kelowna. AEI is the only certified company for converting 737 passenger aircraft into freighters in Canada.
Robert T. Convey, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AEI, expressed, «We are honored that Air Inuit has chosen the AEI B737-800SF cargo and combi aircraft as part of their fleet modernization plans. We welcome Air Inuit to the AEI customer family and look forward to a successful partnership.»
Christian Busch, President and CEO of Air Inuit, said, «We are delighted to partner with AEI for our freighter conversion needs, both for our 737-800SF cargo operations and for our groundbreaking B738 combi aircraft, which will soon be an innovation in its own right.»
The reconverted AEI B737-800SF freighter offers a payload of up to 52,700 pounds (23,904 kg) on the main deck and incorporates eleven full-height container positions of 88″ x 125″, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also includes new floor beams in the aft wing box, a large main cargo door measuring 86″ x 137″ with a unique vent door system.
In addition, the AEI B737-800SF features a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a 9g rigid barrier, five standard supernumerary seats, a kitchen, and a full bathroom.
Air Inuit currently operates a fleet of 22 aircraft and maintains three operational bases at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Kuujjuaq Airport (YVP), and Puvirnituq Airport (YPX).
