EGYPTAIR has signed a contract for an AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. The aircraft (MSN: 35560) is scheduled to commence modification in October 2022. Touch labour for the conversion and maintenance requirements will be accomplished by the authorised AEI Conversion Center, Commercial Jet, in Miami, Florida.“This order is part of EGYPTAIR’s cargo and passenger fleet modernization plan,” said Capt. Amr Abu El-Enein, chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR Holding Company. “We will continue to increase the size of our fleet and open new freighter markets in the coming years to meet the growing needs of the local market in terms of exporting goods abroad, especially crops.”EGYPTAIR currently owns three Airbus A330-200 freighters, with a capacity of 60 tons per aircraft. EGYPTAIR’s cargo operations have grown during the COVID-19 period. The company has started new routes to accommodate the need to transport medical items and agricultural crops. Once completed, this will be the first AEI B737-800SF converted freighter to be owned and operated by EGYPTAIR.AEI is currently the only conversion company to have ETOPS 180 approval on the 737-800 freighter conversion. Additionally, AEI can convert all 737-800 line number aircraft including those with Split Scimitar winglets.The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, a large 86” x 137” Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.AEI’s forward-thinking design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient maneuvering room which minimizes potential door and aircraft strikes. Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and full lavatory.
