The Boeing 737-800NG in a combined passenger–cargo configuration is entering commercial service for the first time worldwide. Canadian airline Air Inuit is preparing to begin operations with this aircraft type after receiving the required approval from national regulators, according to Aerospace Global News.
According to the carrier, Transport Canada has certified the modified aircraft, allowing it to be deployed on scheduled flights between Montreal and Kuujjuaq as early as this week. This marks a new phase in the development of the airline’s mixed passenger and cargo operations.
Combined passenger–cargo aircraft have traditionally played an important role in maintaining transport links with remote regions, but complex certification procedures have often limited their wider adoption. In the case of Air Inuit, these barriers have now been overcome.
The new configuration places both passengers and cargo on the main deck. A dedicated cargo section in the forward part of the aircraft accommodates up to five pallets, while the rear cabin section can seat up to 90 passengers. This layout allows greater operational flexibility on routes where demand for cargo transport often exceeds passenger traffic.
Air Inuit notes that the combined configuration is critical for serving northern communities that depend on regular supply deliveries. As highlighted by Aerospace Global News, the airline has long relied on mixed-use aircraft to sustain essential logistics chains in Quebec’s Arctic region.
The conversion program was carried out by the Canadian company KF Aerospace, which specializes in aircraft maintenance and modernization. A second Boeing 737-800 in the Air Inuit fleet is expected to undergo a similar modification in the near future, with work on a third aircraft planned for later this year. The converted aircraft are equipped with a set of modern safety systems, including fire detection, halon-based fire suppression, smoke containment systems, and reinforced structural elements. These solutions are based on the established Boeing 737-800 cargo door technology.
In addition, the aircraft received updated avionics, onboard Wi-Fi based on Starlink, improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and overall higher reliability compared with the older Boeing 737-200 aircraft that still form the core of Air Inuit’s fleet. KF Aerospace stated that the project required the design and manufacture of several hundred custom components.
Operating the Boeing 737-200 has become increasingly costly over time due to airframe aging and rising maintenance expenses. For this reason, in 2023 Air Inuit acquired three Boeing 737-800 aircraft as part of a broader fleet renewal program. At the same time, the airline chose to retain the combi (passenger–cargo) operating model, which has proven practical on northern routes.
In a press release, Air Inuit President and CEO Christian Busch stated that the investment in next-generation combi aircraft is intended to address the specific operational requirements of the passenger and cargo markets served by the airline. He noted that the new aircraft support modernization of air services in northern regions while preserving operational flexibility.
KF Aerospace President Gregg Aujla commented that the project relied on a high level of engineering capability and coordinated teamwork. He added that the program resulted in a first-of-its-kind solution, expanding aircraft conversion options to meet complex customer requirements.
Founded in 1978, Air Inuit has relied on combi aircraft for decades to connect remote communities with southern Canada. The entry into service of the world’s first Boeing 737-800NG combi not only updates the airline’s operational capabilities but may also serve as a reference case for other carriers operating in remote markets, effectively extending the service life and applicability of the 737-800 platform.
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