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Boeing adds three freighter conversion lines to its global network
November 15th 2021
Boeing is capitalising on the relatively buoyant global cargo market by opening three freighter conversion lines for the B737-800BCF in North America and Europe. Read More » The U.S. manufacturer also announced at the Dubai Airshow that it had signed a firm order with Iceland’s Icelease for 11 of the freighters and that the airline was the launch customer for one of the new conversion lines. The OEM will open one conversion line in 2022 at its London Gatwick MRO facility and two conversion lines in 2023 at KF Aerospace MRO in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. "Building a diverse and global network of conversion facilities is critical to supporting our customers' growth and meeting regional demand," said director of Boeing Converted Freighters, Jens Steinhagen. "KF Aerospace and our Boeing teammates at London Gatwick have the infrastructure, capabilities and expertise required to deliver market leading Boeing Converted Freighters to our customers." Icelease recently expanded its relationship with Corrum Capital through a joint venture called Carolus Cargo. The order for 11 aircraft will be the company’s first converted freighter order with Boeing and be the launch airline for the conversions at London Gatwick. Earlier this year, Boeing announced it would create additional 737-800BCF conversion capacity at several sites, including a third conversion line at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO), and two conversion lines in 2022 with a new supplier, Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Costa Rica. Once the new lines become active, Boeing will have conversion sites in North America, Asia and Europe. The manufacturer forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed in the next 20 years.
