Dublin-headquartered ASL Aviation Holdings has ordered 10 additional 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF), with purchase rights for a further 10.

“This new order is an important element of our fleet renewal programme, and we are delighted to expand our partnership with Boeing on the 737-800BCF,” said ASL Aviation Holdings’ chief executive Dave Andrew. “The 737-800BCF offers increased reliability and performance, and equally its lower fuel burn reduces our environmental footprint. This is very important to ASL as an aviation group committed to environmental sustainability in aviation.”

The order is ASL’s second for the 737-800BCF and including options, will bring the organisation’s total 737-800BCF orders and commitments with Boeing to 40 aircraft.

The aircraft will be converted by Boeing at approved MRO sites including STAECO in Jinan, China and at Boeing’s London Gatwick MRO facility in the UK.

“We are honoured to play a crucial role in the fleet renewal underway across ASL Aviation Holdings’ operation,” said Boeing Converted Freighters’ director Jens Steinhagen. “Boeing Converted Freighters support progress towards sustainability goals by providing operators like those under the ASL Group umbrella an economical way to replace less efficient, older-generation freighters.”

The 737-800BCF carries more payload – up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800lbs) – and flies 2,025 nautical miles (3,750km) farther compared to 737 Classic freighters, Boeing said.