ASL Aviation Holdings and Boeing signed a memorandum of understanding covering twenty 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF), raising the Next-Generation 737-800 freighter conversion’s order and commitment count to 120 from eight customers. The agreement includes 10 firm orders and 10 purchase rights.

Boeing recently inaugurated new conversion lines at Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services (BSAS) and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. (STAECO) and hopes to expand further. The company has committed to more than double 737-800BCF output this year, from eight conversions in 2018 to 17 in 2019.

“Having operated two leased 737-800BCFs across our wide European network, we are very pleased with how the flexibility and reliability of these freighters fulfill our operational needs in meeting our customer requirements,” said ASL Aviation Holdings CEO Hugh Flynn. “The aircraft is highly efficient and rightsized for our developing operations on behalf of our express cargo customers who are experiencing growing demand. The 737-800BCF will also give us access to new markets.”

Operating on six continents, ASL serves express freight integrators and transported more than 357,000 tonnes of cargo in 2018.