Texel Air Australasia inducts new Boeing 737-800BCF for NZ fleet

Texel Air announced it has inducted Florence, the 200th Boeing 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter), which joins Texel’s New Zealand fleet. The latest aircraft will support Texel’s continued growth in New Zealand, where the company sees strong demand for freighter capacity. Florence will initially operate on charter services, giving Texel the flexibility to take on new requirements as they arise, and linking New Zealand domestically and to the world. The delivery follows the arrival of Karen, Texel’s second Boeing 737-800BCF in New Zealand, in August. These aircraft represent a NZ$95 million capital investment, increasing Texel’s New Zealand-based fleet to three aircraft and its Australasian fleet to seven aircraft. Texel Air Founder and Chairman John Chisholm said the latest addition reflects the company’s commitment to New Zealand. “We are proud to be a 100 percent Kiwi-owned airline and to be investing in New Zealand. Our aim is to continue building an operation that creates jobs, supports local businesses, and keeps the profits here,” he said. “Having an additional aircraft based in New Zealand gives us greater flexibility to respond to the needs of businesses, whether that’s moving time-sensitive freight, supporting specialist charter requirements or connecting communities and businesses that rely on air freight.” The Boeing 737-800BCF is a former passenger aircraft given a second working life as a freighter. A team of Boeing specialists convert the aircraft at a Boeing facility by removing the interior, reinforcing the floors and installing a cargo loading system. A wide cargo door is installed to ease the loading and unloading of the aircraft. “The 200th 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter is an important milestone, and we’re pleased to celebrate it with long-standing partners, Texel Air,” said Lindsey Douglas, Vice President, Cabin, Modifications, Maintenance and Digital Services at Boeing. “By growing its New Zealand-based Australasian fleet to seven 737-800BCFs, Texel Air is demonstrating the freighter’s versatility and reliability in supporting expanding exports and trade across the region,” she said. The conversion adds over 20 years to the aircraft’s lifespan. The Next Generation 737-800BCF is up to 20 percent more fuel efficient compared to the previous generation of standard freighters. The Texel fleet now comprises 12 Boeing 737 aircraft, with five based in Bahrain and seven in Australasia. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]