Texel Air (XLR, Bahrain International) has announced an order for a single converted B737-800(BCF) due for delivery by the end of the year.

"The addition of a Boeing Converted Freighter to our fleet will help us meet current and high forecast customer demand for cargo transport, while also supporting our long-term growth and business goals," Chief Executive George Chisholm said.

Chisholm explained to Cargo Facts that the airline had a "few offers [for B737-800 feedstock] on the table" and expected to select an airframe in the next two weeks. The conversion is due to commence in the third quarter of 2021. It did not reveal where the aircraft will be converted.

The Bahraini cargo specialist currently operates two B737-300(F)s and the world's only B737-700(FC) combi, delivered in 2019. It is due to take another B737-700(FC), msn 34170, later this year. The incoming jets will replace one of the -300(F)s, A9C-TXL (msn 28200), which is dry-leased from Kahala Aviation Group. The -800(BCF), however, will be for growth rather than for replacement of the other -300(F), which is owned by the carrier.