China nascent narrowbody conversion companies – like their US and European counterparts – were hit hard. But as the industry recovers and as more airlines take delivery of their A380s and Boeing’s Dreamliner 787 reaches customers by the end of 2010, more airframes are expected to become available for passenger to freighter conversions over the next few years. Xiamen-based Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (TAECO), based in Xiamen, sister … [Read more...] about China’s freighter conversion business limps along

Bedek, part of the Israel Aerospace Industries group, has been active in the conversion market with certification for Boeing passenger-tofreighter conversions on B737-300/400, B767-200/300 and B747-400 aircraft for a number of years, but last year was certainly a tough one concedes Jacob Netz, director Analysis & Strategy, Freighter Conversions at IAI Bedek Aviation Group. “The crisis is global and we suffer as the others. We had almost no conversions of B737 and B747 during the … [Read more...] about Bedek sees promising future in B767 conversions

Optimism is not so difficult an attitude these days – at least not when the cargo front is looking better all the time. In a recent television interview Lufthansa’s Chief Financial Officer Stephan Gemkow commented: “The cargo business is currently absolutely booming. For the first time in over 10 years we are seeing not just strong imports out of China, but also strong exports to China. And when he was asked about the immediate future, Gemkow said: “As far as a … [Read more...] about Airframers see huge ongoing market for freighters

Etihad has taken delivery of the first two of Airbus’ new A330- 200 freighter, as the United Arab Emirates-based carrier became the default launch customer after India-based Flyington Freighters encountered delays in getting an operator certificate. Etihad’s A330-200 freighter aircraft – which can carry up to 64 tonnes of cargo and can fly up to 7,400 kilometres non-stop – will allow the airline’s cargo business to increase frequencies and … [Read more...] about Etihad gets first pair of new A330-200 freighters

Asked whether the A380’s market entry and the pending 787’s introduction will impact passenger aircraft supply in the freighters business, Wolfgang Schmid, vice president Sales, Marketing & Customer Support at EADS EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH), says: “In the past, the late B787 may have had some influence on the availability of widebody airframes”, but he does not see any impact at present. The Boeing-licensed Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company … [Read more...] about Freighter conversion business to improve soon

Fundamental shifts are taking place in the structure of aviation market that is seeing the Asian markets become stronger and have more capability to enhance routes and fleets. Ultimately this will mean a transition from predominantly belly capacity to regional freighters, according to the head of M&B Conversions. DonaldUrquhart has the story. While forecasts indicate the intra-Asian trade will soon exceed that of the transpacific, the regional cargo trade still lags behind in its growth, … [Read more...] about Intra-Asian ripe for transition from belly to maindeck