EgyptAir has taken delivery of its first dedicated narrowbody freighter, a Boeing 737-800SF.
The carrier’s first 737-800SF (msn 35560) arrived in Cairo (CAI) on Feb. 4 after being sent for conversion work to Florida-based Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) in September 2022, and was approved by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority for the Arab Republic of Egypt in early December 2022.
The former passenger aircraft offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates 11 full height 88” x 125” container positions. The conversion also includes new floor beams aft of the wing box, and a large 86” x 137” main cargo door with a single vent door system. The 737-800SF is the only aircraft in AEI’s conversion fleet that has been approved for ETOPS 180.
The aircraft will join EgyptAir’s cargo subsidiary, EgyptAir Cargo, which already operates three Airbus A330-P2Fs with a capacity of 60 tons per aircraft. EgyptAir is interested in expanding in the cargo market, leveraging its strategic location near the intersection of Africa and the Middle East.
The airline is seeking to modernize its cargo and passenger fleet and aims to increase its fleet size and open new freighter markets in the coming years.
In addition to the 737-800SF, EgyptAir is also expecting to receive the first two of seven A321neos in March, leased from AerCap. The airline operates a total of 28 737-800 passenger aircraft, one A320 and eight A320neos.
AEI, which specializes in passenger-to-freighter conversions, has received approvals from several aviation authorities including the FAA, EASA, TCCA, UK CAA, and ANAC. The company is committed to obtaining additional foreign approvals to assist its leasing customers in placing their aircraft around the world.
