As global demand for freighters continues to soar, Boeing has announced plans to add three conversion lines for the 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) across North America and Europe. The company also signed a firm order with Icelease for eleven of the freighters as the launch customer for one of the new conversion lines.
In 2022, the company will open one conversion line at Boeing's London Gatwick MRO facility, its state-of-the-art hangar in the United Kingdom 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 Jens Steinhagen, director of Boeing Converted Freighters. “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.”
For Icelease, which recently expanded its cooperation with Corrum Capital through a joint venture called Carolus Cargo Leasing, the order for eleven 737-800BCFs will be its first converted freighter order with Boeing. The lessor will be the launch customer for conversions at Boeing's London Gatwick MRO facility.