ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering(MAE), the US subsidiary of Singapore-based ST Technologies Aerospace,has signed a massive Passenger-To-Freighter (PTF) conversion contractof 87 B757-200s with FedEx Express.Commencing in 2007, the contract isfor 87 aircraft.
The contract follows last year’s decisionby FedEx to acquire around 90of this type to replace its ageing Boeing727-200 fleet. ST Aero presidentTay Kok Khiang put the value of thecontract at $450-$470 million over theseven-year life of the programme.
Under the agreement, MAE willconvert the passenger aircraft to afreighter configuration and performmaintenance. The PTF conversionwould be done on a SupplementalType Certificate (STC) developed andowned by ST Aerospace based on datalicensed from Boeing.
This conversion includes the installationof a side cargo door, strengtheningof the main deck floor, and installationof a rigid cargo barrier and cargo loadingsystem.
Through its global network of companies,ST Aerospace has been providingairframes, engines and componentmaintenance and modification solutionsto FedEx Express’ fleet of AirbusA300, A310, Boeing 727, MD-10 andMD-11 aircraft. In November 2006, STAerospace celebrated the redelivery ofthe 2,500th aircraft to FedEx Express.
