Regional One orders CRJ200 SF conversion from AEI

Aircraft conversion company, Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI), has secured an order from Miami-based leasing firm Regional One for the conversion of a Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft from passenger to “Special Freighter” (SF) configuration.

Modification of the aircraft began last week at Commercial Jet’s facility in Miami, with redelivery of the converted freighter scheduled for early April 2018. Estonia-based carrier Airest will operate the aircraft under a financial lease – making Airest the first European operator of the CRJ200 SF – and plans to acquire and operate up to four of the aircraft.

AEI already has more than 45 of the CRJ200 SF conversions on order and signed a contract last month with Pinnacle Partners for two additional conversions. Pinnacle also announced plans to acquire another two of the aircraft for conversion in 2018. Avitas aviation consultants put the average cost of a converted CRJ200 SF freighter, which can carry up to eight 61.5” x 88” containers or pallets, at about US$2 million.