Northern Aviation Services has placed an order with Boeing for four converted B767-300ER(BCF) freighters, which will be operated by the holding's Northern Air Cargo (NC, Anchorage Ted Stevens) subsidiary.
"As we started to move into new geographies and new markets we made a decision to move into the B767-300. We have an all-Boeing fleet, so I believe that, right out of the box, the Boeing conversion will give us the best product," President and Chief Executive Betsy Seaton said.
The manufacturer did not disclose the delivery timeline or the identity of the aircraft.
Seaton told Cargo Facts that the holding would decide closer to delivery time whether the aircraft would replace its existing fleet or expand it, depending on demand.
"At this time, we are encouraged by market trends in our business but will make a final decision closer to scheduled lease expiration," she said, adding that the aircraft will be mid-life units.
Northern Aviation Services chose Boeing conversions over the Israel Aerospace Industries variant, the B767-300ER(BDSF), due to the availability of conversion slots and overall performance. The holding's existing fleet of B767s comprises only IAI-converted -300(ERBDSF)s. The ch-aviation fleets module indicates that Northern Air Cargo operates three such aircraft on dry lease from Air Transport Services Group's lessor Cargo Aircraft Management (which are 27 years old on average), while the holding's Hawaiian outfit, Aloha Air Cargo (KH, Honolulu), has one operated under a CMI lease by ATSG's carrier ATI - Air Transport International and also owned by CAM.
Northern Air Cargo also operates three B737-300(F)s (one owned and two leased from Automatic Leasing) and two owned B737-400(SF)s, while Aloha Air Cargo's in-house owned fleet comprises three B737-300(F)s and one B737-400(F).
