Boeing is to provide the conversion work for two Alaska Air Cargo 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF).

The conversion work will be done at Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Costa Rica.

The two 737-800BCF aircraft will increase the Alaska Air Cargo freighter fleet from three to five aircraft. These are dedicated to serving the state of Alaska.

“Fleet expansion positions our growing cargo business to meet increased demand that we see from industry and consumers,” said Alaska Air Cargo’s managing director Adam Drouhard.

“The 737-800 aircraft provides 40 per cent more load space than our current 737-700 freighters, essentially doubling Air Cargo’s total freighter lift capacity. We look forward to getting these 737-800s into service to support Alaska’s supply chain and connect cargo to over 100 cities we serve across North America.”

The two 737-800s will come from Alaska Airlines’ existing passenger fleet and will be leased from BBAM. The planes will be converted from their passenger configuration to an all-freight aircraft beginning in 2023 with completion of the final aircraft by early 2024.

“Alaskans have always relied on Alaska Air Cargo to provide time-sensitive services to their communities,” said Alaska Airlines’ regional vice president Marilyn Romano. “Whether it is vaccines, medicine, household supplies or fresh food, our freighters keep rural Alaska supplied and connected. With service to 20 communities across Alaska, and only three accessible by road, adding new aircraft to the current freighter fleet allows expansion of our vital services to all Alaskans. The additional freighter capacity also allows us to quickly move seafood and other commodities from Alaska to points throughout the US.”

Mike Doellefeld, vice president of Boeing Converted Freighter and Engineering Services, commented: “We are pleased that Alaska Air Cargo has selected the 737-800BCF to meet growing demand for air cargo in the state of Alaska, and across its network. By introducing the reliable 737-800BCF to its existing freighter fleet, Alaska Air Cargo can offer more capacity where its customers need it most – and with lower emissions.”