GECAS’ Cargo Aircraft Group Announces Placement With ASL Aviation Group

The first GECAS 737-800NG passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft has been placed with Dublin, Ireland based ASL Aviation Group. The agreement covers the lease of two 737-800NG freighters.

ASL Aviation Group is a diversified aviation services company offering cargo and passenger airline operations for various blue chip customers through its numerous operating entities on a global basis. ASL also provides aircraft leasing as well as maintenance and aircraft parts support through its subsidiaries ACLAS Technics and ACLAS Global. The aircraft will be operated by an ASL Aviation Group entity for one of its integrator customers.

The aircraft will be converted into freighter configuration by Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI). GECAS announced the launch of its passenger-to-freighter conversion program at the Paris Air Show in June 2015.

Both aircraft are currently operated by China Southern and will enter the conversion program next year and will redeliver as freighters during 2018. The aircraft will be equipped with a rigid cargo barrier and have 12 main deck pallet positions. The aircraft have a maximum structural payload of 51,800lb and a maximum range of over 2,100 nautical miles.

“As one of the largest 737 series freighter aircraft providers we are very excited that there is now a “New Generation” narrow body freighter available, which will allow us to continue servicing our existing, and hopefully many new, customers long into the future. In our opinion the 737-800 is going to be a great freighter, building further on the extensive foundations that have been laid by the numerous 737-200, -300 and -400 freighters that are already in service” said Dave Andrew, CEO ASL Airlines (Africa & Asia) and Leasing.

(Source: GECAS news release)

FMI: www.aslaviationgroup.com, www.aeronautical-engineers.com, www.gecas.com