1,500 commercial aircraft to freighter conversions will be needed in the next two decades to meet demand
Boeing announced its plans to open two new B737-800 aircraft conversion lines from passengers to freighters in Costa Rica.
The news 737-800BCF conversion lines (Boeing Converted Freighter) will be opened in alliance with the Cooperativa Autogestaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Alajuela, north of Costa Rica. Both facilities are expected to be inaugurated in 2022.
“COOPESA has demonstrated technical experience and commitment to quality and execution, necessary points to help us meet the growing demand from 737-800BCF customers, including in the Americas, ”he said. Jens Steinhagen, director of freighter conversions for Boeing.
According to the American company, they will need 1,500 commercial aircraft to freighter conversions in the next two decades to meet the growing demand for this type of aircraft.
Of this total, 1,080 will be narrow-body aircraft conversions and almost the 30% of the demand will come from all America.
Boeing currently converts 737-800 airliners to freighters on established lines in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Jinan, in China.
“We are honored that Boeing has chosen COOPESA as a strategic partner to provide conversion services to the 737-800BCF. We look forward to helping Boeing satisfy market demand with our technical excellence and qualified workforce – characteristics of COOPESA in its 58 years of operation“, said Kenneth Waugh, CEO of COOPESA ..
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