Manama, Jan. 16 (BNA): Texel Air, the Bahrain-based airline, celebrated today the launch of its latest addition to its fleet and the first in the region, the Boeing 737-800 (BCF) freighter. .
The launch event was attended by senior government and aviation industry officials along with Texel Air management and board members including Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Transport and Communications, Anbesi Yatbark, Vice President of Commercial Services Sales for Boeing, and John Chisholm, Chairman and Founder Chisholm Enterprises. / Texel Air and George Chisholm, CEO of Chisholm Enterprises.
The 737-800BCF is a full-fledged cargo aircraft in high demand in the global air cargo market and is the first of its kind in the Middle East with a second aircraft of the same type scheduled to arrive in September 2022.
These new aircraft will enable Texel Air to carry larger volumes of cargo and fly greater distances to new destinations on behalf of its existing and future customer base across the Middle East, India, Turkey, East Africa and other global markets.
This aircraft, registered A9C-GWC (MSN 29985), underwent a conversion from a passenger airliner to a cargo aircraft at the Boeing MRO Supplier Facility, with further customer-specific modifications at the Texel Air hangar facility prior to transfer to Bahrain Air Operators Certification.
Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed said: “We are pleased to see Bahrain as the launch pad for another new aircraft, the first of its kind in the Middle East, which is operated by a registered Bahraini company, Texel Air.”
Having welcomed the Boeing 737-700 FlexCombi in August 2020, we are proud to see the steps Texel Air has taken, reflecting its commitment to investing in the latest offerings and technology for the regional aviation industry. We are pleased to see that Bahrain’s regulations and infrastructure have enabled this growth and we look forward to further supporting the expansion and innovation of private sector airlines.”
“We are delighted to welcome Texel Air into the Boeing Cargo family with the arrival of the first two market-leading Boeing 737-800 freighters,” Yitzbark said. The 737-800BCF is the cargo ship of the right size to support Texel Air’s fleet expansion plans, providing world-class reliability, efficiency and on-service technical support that will help Texel Air capitalize on the rapid growth in e-commerce and rapid shipment demand. “
The Boeing Converted Freighter can carry up to 23.9 tons (52,800 lb) and fly up to 2,025 nautical miles (3,750 km). It has 6,546 cubic feet (185.4 cubic meters) of total cargo volume, with 12 positions – 11 standard (88 in x 125 in) and one position (60.4 in x 61.5 in) on the main deck providing 4,993 cubic feet (141.4 m) cubic meters) and 1,553 cubic feet (44 m) in lower stowage.
“We are very proud to welcome the arrival of the region’s first Boeing 737-800BCF to the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Chisholm said.
“Together with our recently joined B737-700Flex Combi’s™ versatile aircraft, this addition will further enhance our capabilities. We look forward to bringing greater innovations and more diverse cargo solutions to our global customer base.”
The A9C-GWC is expected to enter service in mid-January. Chisholm added that our homeland, Bahrain, is a strategic location and a regional hub for aviation and logistics.