US-based IFL Group is the launch customer for the CRJ200 passenger-to-freighter conversion program jointly offered by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
The conversion will be done by AEI at the commercial jet facility in Miami, and the first aircraft in IFL’s order is expected to be re-delivered late in 2015. It will join one of IFL’s airline subsidiaries, likely flying cargo in North America, but also possibly in Latin America or the Caribbean.
Robert Convey, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing for AEI, said he is seeing significant interest in P-to-F conversions for both the CRJ200 and CRJ100.
“The dependability and affordable operating economics of both platforms make them particularly well suited for regional cargo and feed operations,” he said.
The conversions, which include a large cargo door, are done by AEI using Bombardier engineering data, and marketed by AEI as the CRJ100SF and CRJ200SF (Special Freighter).