Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is pleased to share that its customer, Nigeria-based Allied Air, has taken ownership of a second AEI B737-800SF freighter (MSN 30146) in a third-party transaction. This aircraft is the second youngest 737-800 converted freighter with a build date of 2010. Allied Air took delivery of its first B737-800SF freighter from AEI in October of 2020.

“The AEI B737-800SF freighter has been faithfully serving our cargo routes for four years,” said Captain Valentine Tongo, Allied Air CEO. “This second AEI freighter will augment our existing customers’ growing cargo transportation needs.”

As Allied Air continues to expand, the company has said they plan to have a fleet of up to eight (8) AEI B737-800SF freighters by 2028.

“The movement of 737-800s returning to service is a good sign overall that the lull in the narrowbody conversion market is beginning to resolve,” stated Robert T. Convey, AEI Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We believe that the market and demand for narrowbody freighters will begin to return to normal by mid-2026.”

The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, a large 86” x 137” Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.

AEI’s forward-thinking design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient maneuvering room which minimizes potential door and aircraft strikes. Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and full lavatory.