passenger-to-freighter conversion

Sichuan Airlines accepts 1st A330 converted in China for cargo

The Civil Aviation Administration of China has issued the design certification for Airbus’ structural modification of the A330 from passenger to cargo aircraft, enabling delivery of the first plane rebuilt in China and paving the way for more Chinese airlines to operate the freighter.

Elbe Fluzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), co-owned by manufacturer Airbus and Singapore-based ST Engineering, said Tuesday it delivered the first of two A330-300 converted freighters to Sichuan Airlines. CDB Aviation, the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/sichuan-airlines-accepts-1st-a330-converted-in-china-for-cargo

Israeli firm to convert Boeing 777s for cargo in South Korea

Israel Aerospace Industries said on Monday it will set up additional production capacity in South Korea for its first-of-a-kind conversion of used Boeing 777 aircraft into all-cargo jets.

The Tel Aviv-based aerospace and defense company signed an agreement with Sharp Technics K and Incheon International Airport Corp. to establish a facility for passenger-to-freighter conversion of 777-300 aircraft. IAI said Sharp Technics will begin rebuilding aircraft for dedicated cargo applications in 2024. 

IA...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/israeli-firm-to-convert-boeing-777s-for-cargo-in-south-korea

Mammoth Freighters adds UK facility for 777 cargo conversions

Front nose close up of a Boeing 777, all-white with stairs to cabin door.

Mammoth Freighters on Monday announced a new collaboration with STS Aviation Services to augment production capacity for passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions of the Boeing 777.

All work will be accomplished at STS’ facility in Manchester, United Kingdom, starting in mid-2024. The multiyear agreement covers both the 777-200LR and 777-300ER aircraft.

Mammoth Freighters, an aerospace newcomer fueled by resources from Fortress Investment Group, is one of two companies pioneering the conversion of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mammoth-freighters-adds-uk-facility-for-777-cargo-conversions

Leasing companies secure slots to convert aircraft for cargo

Close of a cargo aircraft with the side cargo door raised.

Several aircraft leasing companies on Thursday reserved production slots with aftermarket overhaul specialists to convert used passenger aircraft to cargo jets. 

The flurry of transactions illustrates that cargo operators continue to have an appetite for large and standard freighters even as demand for air shipping cools off in a murky economic environment.

Lessors and investors have shown greater interest in freighters since the pandemic as airlines downsized and turned to more modern aircraft...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/leasing-companies-secure-slots-to-convert-aircraft-for-cargo

Lessor Jackson Square Aviation enters freighter segment

Interior of a cargo bay in a jetliner.

Another leasing company that previously only dealt with passenger aircraft is expanding its portfolio to include freighters and capitalize on industry projections for sustained growth in air cargo, which is heavily influenced by  momentum from e-commerce sales.

Jackson Square Aviation, an affiliate of publicly listed Japanese leasing company Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., announced late Monday it will enter the cargo market for the first time by enlisting Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers Inc. to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lessor-jackson-square-aviation-enters-freighter-segment

AELF FlightService moves up plan for 1st Boeing 767 converted freighter

A large aircraft with paint removed and a new fuselage section as it undergoes conversion for freight service.

Charter airline and leasing company AELF FlightService will move ahead with fully converting a widebody passenger jet to freighter configuration as plans for swift deployment of partially modified, light-duty cargo jets remain on hold because of regulatory delays.

The Chicago-based company said Thursday it has reserved a production slot at Israel Aerospace Industries to retrofit one of its two Boeing 767-300 jetliners for main-deck cargo operations, with delivery slated for June 2023. The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/aelf-flightservice-moves-up-plan-for-1st-boeing-767-converted-freighter

Qantas converting more aircraft for freight to meet e-commerce demand

A white with a red tail and Qantas kangaroo logo sitting an an airport apron.

Australian flag carrier Qantas said Monday it will procure six Airbus A321 standard aircraft and convert them to freighters as replacements for smaller, older Boeing cargo jets to keep pace with the huge upswing in cargo volumes powered by e-commerce.

Qantas Freight was the first airline to operate the A321 converted freighter when it entered the commercial market in October 2020 as a competitor to the Boeing 737-800 and younger alternative to the slightly larger Boeing 757 conversion aircraft....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/qantas-converting-more-aircraft-for-freight-to-meet-e-commerce-demand

Freighter conversions: More wins for 737-800 as Airbus finishes 1st A320

A Boeing 737-800 jet in a hanger on a stand getting an interior overhaul.

Boeing this week announced two new orders, including from a new customer, for its 737-800 converted freighter while a separate retrofit design from Israel Aircraft Industries for the same 

model gained access to the European market. This reinforces the latest forecasts for significant growth in narrowbody cargo planes converted from passenger jets.

Airbus is gunning for the 737-800 with its fledgling A321 that hit the market 18 months ago and the smaller A320 conversion, the first unit of which...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freighter-conversions-more-wins-for-737-800-as-airbus-finishes-1st-a320

Regional cargo haulers move to convert standard passenger jets

A white jetliner with blue/red tail and logo Raya Airways sits on the tarmac on a sunny day.

Momentum for narrowbody freighter conversions continued to build in recent days with news that Malaysian all-cargo carrier Raya Airways has signed a deal for four retrofitted passenger aircraft while ASL picked up more lender support for its major fleet expansion. Plus, a Chinese aircraft leasing company is entering the freighter market for the first time.

Singapore-based ST Engineering said Thursday its freighter leasing subsidiary will lease four Airbus jets — two A320 and two A321 used...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/regional-cargo-haulers-move-to-convert-standard-passenger-jets

French firm introduces ‘soft’ cargo conversion for Airbus A330 jet

Close up of fuselage of an A330-300 aircraft near the cockpit.

French aviation services company Vallair is offering to partially reconfigure used Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft for cargo duty as a faster, cheaper alternative to heavy-duty conversions amid multiyear backlogs for production slots at overhaul facilities. It’s a shortcut also being tried by a handful of other companies aimed at light e-commerce shipments that can be loaded in the cabin without extra support beams in the floor.

Vallair and UUDS, a Paris-based aircraft maintenance and repair...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/french-firm-introduces-soft-cargo-conversion-for-airbus-a330-jet

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