Aerospace

BBAM Orders 9 More 737-800 BCF, Takes First Position at New Conversion Line

Boeing and BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM) announced yesterday that the lessor has placed a definitive order for nine additional #737-800 #Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) aircraft.

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Boeing [NYSE: BA] and BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM) announced today that the lessor has placed a definitive order for nine additional 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) aircraft. The transaction takes BBAM’s total 737-800BCF orders to 40, as demand for the single-aisle freighter remains robust.

BBAM will be the first customer to receive a 737-800BCF conversion from a new conversion line slated to begin next year at KF Aerospace, a Kelowna, British Columbia-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) supplier. Boeing said last year that it would open two 737-800BCF conversion lines at KF Aerospace commencing in 2023.

The 737-800BCF is the industry leader in standard body freighters, with over 250 orders and commitments from 20+ customers and more than 90 deliveries to date. When compared to 737 Classic freighters, the freighter can carry up to 23.9 tonnes (52,800 lbs.) and travels 2,025 nautical miles (3,750 km).

BBAM has conversion slots at additional Boeing MRO suppliers, including Alajuela, Costa Rica-based Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) and Shanghai, China-based Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services (BSAS).

“Our cooperation with BBAM on the 737-800BCF began with an order for three conversions in 2020, and after a series of additional orders, BBAM is now one of the 737-800BCF’s top customers, with orders for 40 of the type,” said Kate Schaefer., vice president of commercial modifications, engineering, and speciality products at Boeing. “We are humbled by BBAM’s continuous trust in Boeing, and we are pleased to provide high-quality and reliable conversion capacity throughout a global network of MRO vendors, where our clients require it the most.”

Boeing has over 40 years of successful passenger-to-freighter conversion experience, relying on original design data and a deep understanding of the air cargo industry’s needs to deliver a superior, integrated product that includes fully integrated manuals and world-class in-service technical support. Boeing Converted Freighters also have the benefit of being linked with the industry’s most comprehensive array of services, support, and solutions. Find out more about the 737-800BCF and the rest of the Boeing cargo family here.

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.