Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI), a freighter conversion business based in Canada, will convert three Boeing 737-800SF freighters for Air Inuit.

According to AEI, two of the aircraft will be modified into combi passenger/cargo aircraft.

The first aircraft (MSN 40852) will be modified in November and delivered in late March 2024.

The AEI Conversion Centre, KF Aerospace in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, will undertake touch labor and maintenance.

The second and third aircraft are scheduled to begin modifications in March and July of 2024, respectively.

“We are honoured that Air Inuit has selected the AEI B737-800SF freighter and combi as part of their fleet modernisation plans,” stated Robert Convey, AEI senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“We are pleased to partner with AEI for our freighter conversion needs for both our B738 freighter operations as well as for our soon-to-come innovative world’s first B738 combi aircraft,” added Christian Busch, Air Inuit’s president and chief executive.

The AEI-converted 737-800SF offers a maindeck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates 11 full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH.

The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, and a large 86” x 137” Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.

AEI’s design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb. This enables ground operators to have sufficient maneuvering room, which minimises potential door and aircraft strikes.

The AEI 737-800SF also has a versatile Ancra Cargo Loading System.

The fleet of Air Inuit includes the De Havilland Dash-8 Cargo 300, the Dash-8 Combi 300, and the Dash-8 Combi 100.

Boeing 737 300C and 737 200C planes are also included.