Miami, Florida – May 15th, 2022 – Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is pleased to announce that Bulgaria-based Cargo Air has ordered its fifth AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion. The aircraft, (MSN 30881) is slated to commence modification in June 2023. All conversion related touch labor will be performed by the authorized AEI conversion Center, Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida.

“AEI has provided Cargo Air with sustainable freighter solutions since 2007. They have listened to our needs and collaborated with us on product innovations, many features which are not available on other B737-800 freighter conversions,” said Cargo Air Purchase and Fleet Acquisitions Director, Angel Petrov. “This is our 5th B737-800SF freighter with AEI and we will continue to rely on them for our fleet renovation in the future years to come while replacing our B737 Classic freighters with 737NG freighters.”

Cargo Air is a significant, long-term airline operator customer for AEI. Upon completion of this order, Cargo Air will operate a total of 16 AEI freighters, including a mix of B737-300SF, B737- 400SF, and B737-800SF freighters.

AEI is currently the only conversion company to have ETOPS 180 approval on the 737-800 freighter conversion. Additionally, AEI can convert all 737-800 line number aircraft, including those with Split Scimitar winglets.

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.