Freight Boeing to open three new freighter conversion lines

On Dubai Air Show 2021, manufacturer Boeing has announced a further expansion to its freighter conversion business. In total, three 737-800BCF conversion lines will be opened. As global demand for freighters rise, new lines will be opened in Europe and North America.

Concretely, one conversion line will be opened at the manufacturer´s London Gatwick Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility and two conversion lines at KF Aerospace MRO in Kelowna, Canada. The line at Gatwick is set to open next year, while the lines in Canada are expected to welcome the first aircraft in 2023.

Jens Steinhagen, director of Boeing Converted Freighters, commented: "Building a diverse and global network of conversion facilities is critical to supporting our customers' growth and meeting regional demand […] 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."

Gregg Evjen, chief operating officer, KF Aerospace, added: "We've been working with the Boeing product line for more than 30 years. With our cargo conversion experience, our highly skilled workforce and all the technical requirements already in place, we're ready to get to work and help serve Boeing's customers."

In addition to the three conversion lines, Boeing was able to log in a new order for its 737-800BCF. Leasing company Icelease signed for eleven aircraft. It will be the company´s first converted Boeing aircraft in its portfolio. The conversions are expected to mark the beginning of the Gatwick MRO conversion operations.

"We are confident in the quality and proven record of Boeing's 737-800 converted freighter and pleased to be the launch customer for their new London MRO facility," said Magnus Stephensen, senior partner at Icelease. "We look forward to bringing the freighter in to our fleet to serve our growing global customer base operating domestic and short-haul routes."

Earlier this year, Boeing already announced expansion plans for its conversion business by uplifting capacities at several sites in Costa Rica and China. Especially after and during the pandemic, E-Commerce numbers skyrocketed, and more and more companies see a lucrative business by using converted to freighter aircraft.