Daniel Castro
LAS
First of five 737-400 cargo aircraft unveiled
Airline investing $100 million in cargo operation to meet growing demand
June 28, 2006
Employees caught their first glimpse today of a new Boeing 737-400 freighter that Alaska Airlines added to its cargo fleet, the first of five larger cargo aircraft the airline will put into service by the end of 2007.
The all-cargo aircraft provides 50 percent more capacity and more advanced flight guidance capabilities than the 737-200 it replaces.
The new freighter is the first 737-400 in the world to be converted from an all-passenger to an all-cargo configuration.
Video of freighter
See graphic of the freighter configuration
The introduction of the larger freighter is part of Alaska Airlines’ $100 million plan to expand and modernize its cargo operation to meet the growing demand for its cargo services. The airline is retiring seven 737-200 cargo aircraft and replacing them with five larger 737-400 retrofitted cargo aircraft, including the freighter introduced today, and four “combi” aircraft, which carry passengers and cargo simultaneously.
This new fleet will increase Alaska’s cargo capacity by 20 percent.
“Alaska Airlines’ cargo customers will benefit from the additional capacity on this freighter and the other larger cargo aircraft on their way,” said Matt Yerbic, managing director of cargo. “Our new cargo fleet will allow Alaska Airlines to better serve the growing needs of our cargo customers throughout the state of Alaska and beyond.”
Employees will have the opportunity to work on a one-of-a-kind aircraft that is more reliable and fuel-efficient than the 737-200. The new igloos, used to hold cargo, are clear, so employees can easily detect when they are empty, said Darbie Kirk, cargo marketing manager.
The new igloos hold nearly 400 cubic feet, compared with a capacity of 350 cubic feet for the older models. The new freighter will carry 9½ pallets versus six pallets that fit in the 200s.
Employees in Seattle and Anchorage who will work the freighters received a day of training on the aircraft.
The freighter, which begins scheduled commercial service on Friday, is the first 737-400 in the world to be converted from an all-passenger to an all-cargo configuration. Consequently, the Federal Aviation Administration required a new type certificate for the aircraft.
“Since it’s the first one of its kind, the certification process was lengthy,” Kirk said.
Introduced as a passenger aircraft into Alaska Airlines’ fleet in 1999, the aircraft was retrofitted into its all-cargo configuration by Pemco World Air Services. Pemco also is retrofitting the four 737-400 combi aircraft slated for delivery through 2007.
