GECAS to convert 30 more Boeing 737-800s into freighters

GE’s aircraft financing and leasing company said the next-generation 737-800 freighters will be equipped with CFM56-7B engines, and will be able to carry 23.9 metric tons of cargo with 12 main deck positions over 2,000 nautical miles.    GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), an aircraft financing and leasing company, has plans to convert a further 30 Boeing 737-800s into freighters, the company said.
   GECAS commenced the 737-800 freighter program with Aeronautical Engineers in 2015 and Boeing in 2016.
   Since then, the company has provided each program with a prototype aircraft for modification at separate conversion facilities in Miami and Shanghai.
   All of the feedstock aircraft will come from GECAS’ existing portfolio and converted once the aircraft end their current passenger leases from 2018 onward.
   The next-generation 737-800 freighters will be equipped with CFM56-7B engines, and will be able to carry 23.9 metric tons of cargo with 12 main deck positions over 2,000 nautical miles.
   Currently, GECAS owns about 220 passenger 737-800s that are distributed across 25 countries.