Boeing has launched the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter, with 30 firms orders and 38 commitments.

“The Next-Generation 737 provides exceptional value to express freight carriers through its superior payload, range, reliability and efficiency,” said Stan Deal, senior vice president of commercial aviation services at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “While the recovery of the global cargo market has been slow, we see demand for freighters, such as the 737-800BCF, that will carry express cargo on domestic routes. Over the next 200 years, Boeing forecasts customers will need more than 1,000 converted freighters the size of the 737, with China’s domestic air-freight carriers accounting for nearly one-third of the total market.”

The 737-800BCF has a cargo capacity of up to 23.9 tonnes and a range of up to 3,690km.

Customers for the type so far include YTO Airlines with an order for 10 and commitments for another 10, China Postal Airlines with an order for 10, GE Capital Aviation with an order for five, and an unannounced customer with an order for five and two commitments, as well as 13 commitments from SF Airlines, Cargo Air and an unannounced customer.

Planes will be converted at select facilities near demand such as Boeing Shanghai, where a main-deck cargo door, a cargo-handling system and accommodations for up to four people are some of the modifications that will be installed, according to Boeing.