Texel Air adds second 737‑800BCF freighter to New Zealand fleet

Texel Air delivered its 200th Boeing 737‑800BCF freighter, registered ZK‑TXH “Florence”, to its New Zealand operations, joining the airline’s first 737‑800BCF “Karen”.

The aircraft, formerly VH‑VUO and operated for Virgin Australia since the Virgin Blue era, is part of a NZ$95 million investment; Texel’s founder John Chisholm said the airline is 100 percent Kiwi‑owned and aims to create jobs and support local businesses. The conversion stripped the passenger cabin, reinforced the floors and installed a wide cargo‑loading door, which Boeing’s vice president for cabin, modifications, maintenance and digital services says adds about 20 years to the airframe’s life and up to 20 percent more fuel efficiency than earlier freighter models. Texel Air’s Australasian fleet now totals seven 737‑800BCFs, with three based in New Zealand, five in Bahrain and one in Australia.