Vallair has placed its final 737-400 freighter with Malaysian start-up operator M Jets.

The 737-400 is a legacy product for Vallair, as the company is focusing its future freighter conversion programmes on A321, 737NG and ATR variants.

The aircraft, MSN 26605, will be the first freighter entered into MMAG subsidiary M Jets’ fleet and will be operated under the brand Kargo Xpress.

“The 737-400 is long established as a successful freighter,” said Vallair’s CEO Gregoire Lebigot. “Offering eleven container positions, the Classic series, to which the -400 belongs, is well suited for a start-up operator because of its reliability and economical operating costs.

“In addition to this as the aircraft is well-known throughout the world, finding suitable maintenance facilities, crew, engineers, as well as spare parts, will not be an issue.”

The 737-400 conversion was carried out in 2018 by Pemco Conversions. Vallair noted that while it would no longer be converting the aircraft variant, it will continue to offer legacy support.

“The delivery of this aircraft is a testament to the focused teamwork of all involved,” commented Vallair’s director of trading & leasing Patrick Leopold. “Covid has of course presented challenges due to the limitations in travel, and we have relied heavily on web-based communications.

“Our specialist MRO facility in Montpellier has carried out all checks and maintenance, as well as accommodating the painting of the aircraft by ApS at our dedicated paint facility.”

Vallair said it had also recently placed another 737-400 aircraft with an African operator.