Rimbun Air (RI, Bandung) has acquired its first B737-800(SF) which will be used to expand cargo operations into neighbouring nations. The former Air Europa (UX, Palma de Mallorca) passenger jet has been undergoing maintenance at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta since September ahead of its re-entry into service as a freighter. The 20.8-year-old Boeing is presently registered as VP-CGM (msn 30281).

Rimbun Air, formally known as PT Rimbun Abadi Aviasi, was set up in 2018 to meet the growing demand within Indonesia for freighter services, including specialist short take-off and landing operations. However, the first revenue flight did not occur until earlier this year. At that time, a bullish Rimbun Air said it expected to acquire three B737-800s by the end of 3Q 2022 to cater mostly to the growing e-commerce and express cargo demand in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries.

The single B737-800SF arrived on a lease from Aero Capital Solutions and joins five other planes in Rimbun's fleet, including two B737-300(F)s; one DHC-6-300; and two DHC-6-400s.