Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd., (Boeing Shanghai) has redelivered the third of three B737-400 passenger-to-freighter conversions to Hainan Airlines and Yangtze River Express, both subsidiaries of the HNA Group. The modification was conducted under the Supplemental Type Certificate held by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI). With this redelivery Boeing Shanghai will have completed five conversions at their facility, which is strategically located at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport.
“We are pleased to have Boeing Shanghai’s professional team to support our 737-400 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme. Their hard work and high level of technology and quality ensure reliable, safe flights,” said Liu Wenbin, general manager of Hainan Airlines Engineering. “We see this successful conversion programme as a good start for future cooperation with Boeing Shanghai in more areas.”
“AEI is very proud to have been selected by Hainan Airlines and Yangtze River Express for their 737-400 freighter programme and to have teamed with Boeing Shanghai to deliver these conversions. AEI looks forward to a continuing relationship with both airlines as they plan future fleet upgrades,” said David McDonald, VP of AEI. “We also look forward to working together with Boeing Shanghai to pursue opportunities for serving more customers in Asia.”
“This redelivery is a testament to Boeing Shanghai’s capability of providing high-quality and on-time conversions. It is our honor that Hainan Airlines and Yangtze River Express selecting Boeing Shanghai to be their aircraft modification service provider,” said Dermot Swan, CEO of Boeing Shanghai. “Our partnership with AEI ensures the successful completion of this well-designed conversion that enables the operator to maximize the value and operational efficiency of an important asset. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Hainan Airlines, Yangtze River Express and AEI.”
Hainan Airlines, with headquarters in Haikou, is the largest privately-owned air transport company and the fourth-largest airline in terms of fleet size in China. It operates scheduled domestic and international services on 500 routes from Hainan and nine locations on the mainland, as well as charter services. Yangtze River Express Airlines Company Limited provides domestic and international air cargo transportation and logistics services. Yangtze River has 40 domestic and international routes and more than 800 staff and presently operates more than 200 flights weekly.
