First passenger jet configured for cargo unveiled in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The first-ever passenger jet converted for cargo use was unveiled Monday in Alaska, and the arrival spells the end for a unique plane configured for the nation’s largest state.

Alaska Airlines spent $15 million to convert three 737-700s to carry diverse cargo — everything from animals to seafood to groceries to tires — to rural hub communities in this state with few roads.

The two additional cargo planes are still undergoing the conversion process in Tel Aviv.

The new planes increase the cargo capacity load for Alaska by 20 percent over its current fleet of 737-400s.

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