Boeing announced on Sunday that they have received a firm order for two 737-800 BCFs from an unidentified customer, bringing the total of orders and commitments for the type to 134. In response to strong demand, the company will open additional conversion lines.
On Sunday (September 20, 2020), Boeing announced that they have received an order for two 737-800BCFs (Boeing Converted Freighters) from an undisclosed customer. As a result of strong demand for the aircraft type, the aerospace giant will open additional conversion lines in Guangzhou, China and Singapore. To date, Boeing has received a total of 134 orders and commitments for the 737-800BCF. The converted freighter is based on the Next Generation 737 providing operators with newer technology, superior fuel consumption and higher reliability than other standard-body freighters. The airplane can carry 23.9 metric tons (52,800 pounds) up to 2,000 nautical miles (3,750 kilometers). In Sunday’s announcement, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Ihssane Mounir, said,
“The freighter conversion program is an excellent way to double the life of an airplane and provide operators with an economical way to replace less efficient freighters. By working with our partners to add freighter conversion capacity, we look forward to meeting the strong demand in this market segment and helping our customers scale their operations.”
Boeing’s new 737-800BCF line at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO) is scheduled to open in 2021 becoming the second conversion line for the type. GAMECO was founded in 1989 is a joint venture MRO between China Southern Airlines Co. Limited and Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa (China) Limited. Commenting on the new conversion line, GAMECO’s General Manager, Norbert Marx, said,
“The addition of the new production line demonstrates our ability to quickly respond to market trends and requirements and is a testament to the skill and professionalism of the entire GAMECO-Boeing team.”
Since the launch of the program, Boeing has delivered 36 737-800BCFs to 10 operators across four continents. In addition to the new 737-800BCF line, the company is also opening a second conversion line for the widebody 767-300BCF at ST Engineering’s facility in Singapore. The 767-300BCF has approximately the same capacity as the 767-300F production freighter and can carry 56.5 metric tons of cargo up to 3,350 nautical miles (6,190 kilometers). Boeing’s 767 Freighter Family is the most efficient freighter in its class and allows airlines to develop new opportunities in long-haul, regional and feeder markets. Boeing provides over 90 percent of the world’s freighter capacity, offering an unmatched selection and superior economics in every freighter size.
Source: Boeing