BBAM Limited Partnership is set to expand its 737-800BCF fleet with six firm orders and six options, as the aircraft leasing company looks to ride on the continued growth in the e-commerce and express cargo market. Boeing said the agreement brings the aircraft lessor’s 737-800BCF orders and commitments to 15.

“As we look ahead to expanding our cargo fleet, the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter provides the performance and efficiency our customers need,” said Steve Zissis, CEO of BBAM.

“Adding these highly capable freighters to 276 Boeing airplanes in our managed fleet helps to further strengthen our leadership position in the marketplace,” he added.

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Based on the popular next-generation 737, the 737-800BCF answers customers’ need for a freighter that offers higher reliability and lower fuel consumption and operating costs per trip versus other standard body freighters.

Primarily used to transport express cargo on domestic or short-haul routes, this aircraft is capable of carrying up to 23.9 tonnes over 2,025 nautical miles (3,750 kilometres). Since entering service in 2018, the passenger-to-freighter conversion has won more than 150 orders and commitments, Boeing noted.

“BBAM is one of the industry’s leading full-service leasing companies and has built their reputation on smart investments,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing.

“The continued strong demand for the 737-800BCF demonstrates the critical role these converted freighters play in the growing express and e-commerce market,” he added.

Boeing forecasts demand for freighters to grow more than 60 percent to 2,430 cargo planes over the next 20 years. This would include 930 new production freighters and 1,500 freighters converted from passenger airplanes.