YTO Cargo Airlines (YG, Hangzhou) has become the launch customer for the B737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) following the signing of a commitment with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) for fifteen airframes.

The order was announced during President Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to the United States.

No delivery dates were disclosed.

YTO Express currently operates a fleet of three B737-300(F)s of which only one - B-2505 (msn 28657) - is currently active. The other two are expected to begin commercial freight operations before year end China's WCARN news reports.

In May, Israel Aerospace Industries (Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) subsidiary Bedek Aviation Group announced Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) would be the launch customer for the B737-700 P-to-F conversion programme with an order for three airframes plus one option.