By Mohamed Attia
Pilot Amr Abul-Enein, head of EgyptAir, stated that EgyptAir Cargo has contracted with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc (AEI) to convert the B737/800SF into a cargo plane.
Abul-Enein added that EgyptAir Cargo currently owns 3 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, each with a capacity of 60 tonnes, and the company seeks to increase the size of its fleet in order to open new markets during the next stage and activate the movement of goods exports abroad, especially agricultural crops.
He stressed that the activity of the air cargo company has recently increased during the period of the coronavirus pandemic, and the air cargo movement has grown with the operation of new flights to a number of countries in the world in order to cover the increasing demand for transporting medical materials.
Ahmed Shaheen, President of EgyptAir Cargo, stated that the conversion procedures for the aircraft are scheduled to begin in October 2022, and the conversion and maintenance requirements are scheduled to be completed by the AEI approved conversion center, in Miami, Florida.
Shaheen explained that once the conversion process is completed, this will be the first converted B737-800SF cargo plane operated by EgyptAir, as AEI is the only company that has obtained an ETOPS 180 license to convert the 737-800 to cargo aircraft.
Shaheen added that based on this contract, the B737-800SF, which will be converted by AEI, will have a main deck load of 52,700 pounds (23,904 kg) and includes eleven container positions 88 inches high by 125 inches, in addition to an additional position For aircraft engine parts and other parts of the aircraft.
