Serve Air places order for its first AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion

Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is pleased to announce that Democratic Republic of Congo-based Serve Air has ordered its first AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion. The aircraft, (MSN 30517) has already commenced modification and will be redelivered to Serve Air in early November. All conversion related touch labor and maintenance is being performed by the authorized AEI conversion Center, Commercial Jet in Dothan, Alabama.

“While the narrowbody conversion market demand from leasing companies has slowed over the last few months, new orders for our B737-800SF freighter coming directly from operators continues to remain strong,” stated Robert T. Convey, AEI senior vice president sales and marketing. “Serve Air recently purchased an AEI B737-800SF from China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited and is currently operating the freighter.”

The company is the first operator of the B737-800SF in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Serve Air expects to increase its fleet of AEI B737-800SF freighters to a total of six aircraft in the coming years.

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.