ASL Aviation Holdings is to take up 10 options for the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter. The original agreement with Boeing for 10 firm orders and 10 options was announced at the Paris Air Show in 2019.

The first 737-800BCF aircraft for ASL was delivered and entered service last month with ASL Airlines France.

The second aircraft will be accepted by ASL’s joint venture airline K-Mile Asia this month and is expected to enter service in early April from its Bangkok Suvarnabhumi base. This will be the first 737-800BCF registered in Thailand.

Four aircraft are currently under conversion, and another two aircraft are due for induction in the coming weeks.

“The performance and reliability of the 737-800BCF make it the perfect fit for our combined fleet renewal and growth programmes and so we have moved to confirm our 10 options earlier than planned,” said ASL Aviation Holdings chief executive Dave Andrew.

“The aircraft offers an excellent option for our express cargo customers as they develop their networks to meet demand in the years ahead. It is ‘right-sized’ in payload and range and offers the improved carbon efficiency that ASL and our customers see as an essential element in fleet planning as we aim for future carbon neutrality.”