TEXEL Air has added Boeing’s 200th 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) to its New Zealand fleet, taking its locally based aircraft to three and its Australasian fleet to seven.
Named Florence, the aircraft will initially operate charter services. Texel said the addition would support demand for freighter capacity and provide greater flexibility for domestic and international freight movements.
Florence follows the arrival in August of Karen, Texel’s second New Zealand-based 737-800BCF. The two aircraft represent a combined capital investment of NZ$95 million.
Image: Texel Air Australasia
Texel Air founder and chairman John Chisholm said the latest addition reflected the company’s commitment to New Zealand.
“We are proud to be a 100% Kiwi-owned airline and to be investing in New Zealand. Our aim is to continue building an operation that creates jobs, supports local businesses, and keeps the profits here,” Mr Chisholm said.
“Having an additional aircraft based in New Zealand gives us greater flexibility to respond to the needs of businesses, whether that’s moving time-sensitive freight, supporting specialist charter requirements or connecting communities and businesses that rely on air freight.”
Texel said the aircraft would connect New Zealand’s main freight hubs with regional destinations and provide additional capacity for overseas freight movements.
The expansion is also creating employment opportunities, taking the airline’s Australasian workforce to more than 165.
“Every time we base another aircraft in New Zealand, there is a flow-on effect for both local employment and the wider aviation industry,” Mr Chisholm said.
Boeing vice president, cabin, modifications, maintenance and digital services Lindsey Douglas said the delivery marked a milestone for the conversion programme.
“The 200th 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter is an important milestone, and we’re pleased to celebrate it with long-standing partners, Texel Air,” Ms Douglas said.
The 737-800BCF is converted from a passenger aircraft for cargo operations. The process includes removing the cabin interior, reinforcing the floors and installing a cargo loading system and a wide cargo door.
According to the supplied information, the conversion adds more than 20 years to the aircraft’s working life, while the Next Generation 737-800BCF is up to 20% more fuel efficient than the previous generation of standard freighters.
Texel’s fleet now comprises 12 Boeing 737 aircraft, with five based in Bahrain and seven in Australasia.