GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) placed its first 737-800NG passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft with Dublin-based ASL Aviation Group. The agreement covers the lease of two 737-800NG freighters.

ASL Aviation Group is a diversified aviation services company offering cargo and passenger airline operations. ASL also provides aircraft leasing as well as maintenance and aircraft parts support through its subsidiaries ACLAS Technics and ACLAS Global. The aircraft will be operated by an ASL Aviation Group entity for one of its integrator customers.

The aircraft will be converted into freighter configuration by Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers. GECAS announced the launch of its passenger-to-freighter conversion program at the Paris Air Show in June 2015.

Both aircraft are currently operated by China Southern and will enter the conversion program next year and will redeliver as freighters during 2018.

“We are delighted ASL has chosen the 737-800NG freighter for its future air cargo operations” said Richard Greener, SVP and manager Cargo of GECAS. “The transition into younger more efficient aircraft has started to happen and the 737-800NG freighter is well positioned for both replacement and growth in the narrow body freighter sector.”