Alaska Air Cargo took delivery of the first of two 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) aircraft on lease from BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM). Alaska Air Cargo plans to use the aircraft for expanded freight service in the state of Alaska and beyond in the coming months.

This is the fifth and sixth North American placement of the 737-800BCF for BBAM as part of its commitment with Boeing for 40 conversions of the type. The first aircraft recently completed conversion at COOPESA, a maintenance facility in Costa Rica. A second aircraft will be converted by Boeing at KF Aerospace in British Columbia. Alaska Cargo plans to have both BCFs in service by the end of Q1/24.

“BBAM is excited to deliver its first Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft to Alaska Airlines. The aircraft will deliver flexibility, capability and operational efficiency across Alaska Air Cargo’s growing cargo network. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Alaska,” Steve Zissis, president and CEO of BBAM, said.

The 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter is equipped with CFM56-7B engines and carries a maximum structural payload of 23.9 tons with 12 main deck positions. It flies more than 2,000 nautical miles with a maximum payload and is an exceptionally cost-effective standard-body freighter.

“We look forward to welcoming this first of two Boeing 737-800s into our current fleet,” Adam Drouhard, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo, said. “These additional aircraft will nearly double our current cargo capacity and extend the range of our network for our customers. We appreciate BBAM and Boeing’s support in converting these former Alaska Airlines passenger aircraft to freighters and allowing us to expand our lift at Alaska Air Cargo.”