Sideral Linhas Aéreas (SID, Curitiba International) has signed a Letter of Intent with an undisclosed counterpart to add two B777-200Fs for cargo charters between Brazil and China, the airline said in its filing with the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
The carrier said it is planning to acquire the two B777s but did not reveal any further details. It also did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
As previously reported, Sideral also plans to add its first B737-800(SF)s - N539RL (msn 28639) has already been converted but is parked at Dothan, while N237GE (msn 28591) is undergoing conversion, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. Sideral said it secured six conversion slots with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. in total, while having acquired four B737-800s for conversion so far.
The plan is a part of the "Sideral Moving Forward" strategy based on the carrier's ambition to "construct new paths" and grow in a "structured and sustainable" manner. The airline also plans to buy one or more B737 converted firefighting aircraft to operate missions in the Amazon region.
Sideral's plans, which were revealed in its application for a US Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) and exemption, are also based on growth in the US and Mexico given they are a part of its strategic vision. In terms of US operations, Sideral initially aims to operate 10-12 charter flights on behalf of sports teams, musical acts and other organizations in the first year of operations. It will earmark its only passenger B737-800, PR-SLA (msn 28628), for its US operations.
The family-owned airline (Paulo Adorno and his daughter Juliana own 90% and 10%, respectively) is also in the process of obtaining its IOSA certification.
Besides the -800s, Sideral Linhas Aéreas also operates two B737-300s, three B737-300(F)s, two B737-300(QC)s, one B737-300(SF), four B737-400(F)s, three B737-400(SF)s, and two B737-500s.
