The Canadian company KF Aerospace has achieved a feat that many considered part of the past of commercial aviation by developing and certifying the first modification of the passenger Boeing 737-800 in a Combi configuration.
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The adapted aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-800SF freighter, is capable of carrying passengers and cargo simultaneously. The project combines a cargo compartment located at the front of the aircraft, with capacity for five pallets, and a rear cabin configured for up to 90 passengers. Type certification was granted by Transport Canada, and the first unit was already delivered to the Canadian airline Air Inuit in October.
According to KF Aerospace, the conversion required significant technical work, including the installation of smoke detection systems, fire suppression systems, and an extensive internal reconfiguration of the aircraft. Currently, the market for 737-800 conversions is largely dominated by dedicated freighters, but the company believes that for operators in northern Canada, the hybrid configuration may be more economically advantageous, especially on routes with variable demand.
The Combi format was quite common in the past, especially on regional routes and in remote regions. An iconic example was the long-term use of the Boeing 747 Combi by the Dutch airline KLM. The return of this concept, now applied to a modern single-aisle commercial jet, reflects the specific needs of niche operators operating in areas with limited infrastructure and strong seasonality in demand.
For Air Inuit, which operates routes in isolated regions of Canada, this configuration allows the flexible combination of passenger transport and essential cargo without the need to deploy different types of aircraft. The solution increases operational efficiency and ensures greater responsiveness to the logistical needs of the communities served.
Source and images: KF Aerospace. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
