Nolinor Aviation Doubles Down on the Boeing 737-200 as Global Fleet Dwindles

Nolinor Aviation, the Canadian carrier renowned for its specialized charter services, has announced the arrival of its eighth Boeing 737-200. The aircraft, registered as C-FTWW, was quickly certified in Canada and put into service, immediately enhancing the company's operational capacity for missions in remote regions. This acquisition solidifies Nolinor's position as the world's largest and most prominent operator of this legendary aircraft.

This move further cements Nolinor’s unique position in global aviation, as the active fleet of the Boeing 737-200 has become exceptionally rare. The number of airworthy 737-200s in active service worldwide is now extremely small, with estimates placing the figure at fewer than forty aircraft. The vast majority of these survivors are flown by a handful of niche operators, such as Nolinor in Canada, and a few cargo or charter airlines in Africa and Latin America.

However, establishing an exact census of these aircraft is challenging, partly due to the status of airframes in conflict zones. A notable case is the Boeing 737-200C registered as 5Y-CKD, operated by the Kenyan carrier Safe Air Company. While some fleet databases may still list it as active, multiple reports and photographic evidence that emerged in late May 2025 confirmed the aircraft was destroyed during clashes at Khartoum International Airport in Sudan. This incident highlights the difficulty in maintaining precise records for such a veteran fleet, whose final units often operate in the planet's most demanding environments.

It is within this context of a dwindling global fleet that Nolinor Aviation's strategy becomes even more distinct. For over 30 years, the airline has built its business on the unparalleled qualities of the 737-200. Its robustness, reliability, and, most critically, its distinctive ability to operate on gravel, ice, or unpaved runways, make it an indispensable asset for serving Canada's vast and challenging North.

Quick Facts

Why is the Boeing 737-200 special for these operations? The 737-200 can be fitted with a "gravel kit," a set of modifications that protects the fuselage and engines from damage caused by debris. Its Pratt & Whitney JT8D low-bypass engines are positioned higher and are less susceptible to foreign object ingestion than modern engines.

Who is Nolinor Aviation? It is a Canadian airline based in Mirabel, Quebec, founded in 1992. It specializes in charter flights for mining companies, government agencies, and isolated communities.

How old is this aircraft? The Boeing 737-200 first flew in 1967. Although most airlines retired it decades ago, its rugged design allows for an extended operational life in specific niches.

Nolinor Aviation's President, Marco Prud’Homme, explained that the company "built unique expertise over the years, and it is this approach that has made us successful. Trying to replicate the practices of another carrier would have been a mistake. This addition to our fleet reflects our know-how and our ability to deliver solutions tailored to our customers’ needs."

This expertise is supported by complete vertical integration. Nolinor performs the majority of its maintenance in-house at its specialized facilities and owns the world's only active Boeing 737-200 flight simulator, located in Miami. This meticulous control over training and maintenance translates, according to the company, into an impressive average annual on-time performance rate of 96%.

Yves Bergeron, Vice President of Operations, added that the aircraft "perfectly meets the needs of the mining sector, isolated communities, and government missions. Its oversized cargo door, its autonomy, and its carrying capacity make it an unrivaled strategic tool."

The 737-200 in 2025: Once Absolute King, Today Almost a Memory

The number of Boeing 737-200s in active service worldwide is extremely small, with estimates placing the figure at no more than twenty operational aircraft. The vast majority of these survivors from a bygone era belong to a handful of niche operators, such as Nolinor Aviation in Canada, and some cargo or charter airlines in Africa and Latin America. The list is supplemented by a few military operators, like the Ecuadorian and Mexican Air Forces.

However, the exact census of these aircraft is a matter of debate due to the situation of some airframes in conflict zones. A notable case is that of the Boeing 737-200C with registration 5Y-CKD, operated by IBM Airlines.

Although some fleet databases still list it as active, multiple reports and images that emerged in late May 2025 reportedly confirmed that the aircraft was destroyed during clashes at Khartoum International Airport in Sudan.

This situation underscores the difficulty of maintaining a precise registry for such a veteran fleet, whose last remaining units often operate in the most challenging environments on the planet.

Proving its commitment to the type, Nolinor's expansion is set to continue. The company reports that another Boeing 737-200 is currently being prepared to return to service before the holiday season, with a ninth unit expected to be acquired in 2026 to meet the persistent and growing demand for its unique capabilities.

Temas

• Nolinor Aviation
• Boeing 737-200

AUTOR

Pablo Diaz (Diazpez)

Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.

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