DUBAI, United Arab Emirates,
Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As
global demand for freighters continues to soar, Boeing [NYSE: BA]
today announced plans to add three conversion lines for the
market-leading 737-800BCF across North
America and Europe. The
company also signed a firm order with Icelease for eleven of
the freighters as the launch customer for one of the new conversion
lines.
In 2022, the company will open one conversion line at Boeing's
London Gatwick Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility,
its state-of-the-art hangar in the United
Kingdom; and two conversion lines in 2023 at KF Aerospace
MRO in Kelowna, British Columbia,
Canada.
"Building a diverse and global network of conversion facilities
is critical to supporting our customers' growth and meeting
regional demand," said Jens
Steinhagen, director of Boeing Converted Freighters. "KF
Aerospace and our Boeing teammates at London Gatwick have the
infrastructure, capabilities and expertise required to deliver
market-leading Boeing Converted Freighters to our customers."
"We're very excited to be expanding our relationship with
Boeing," said Gregg Evjen, chief
operating officer, KF Aerospace. "We've been working with the
Boeing product line for more than 30 years. With our cargo
conversion experience, our highly skilled workforce and all the
technical requirements already in place, we're ready to get to work
and help serve Boeing's customers."
For Icelease, which recently expanded its cooperation with
Corrum Capital through a joint venture called Carolus Cargo
Leasing, the order for eleven 737-800BCF will be their first
converted freighter order with Boeing. The lessor will be the
launch customer for conversions at Boeing's London Gatwick MRO
facility.
"We are confident in the quality and proven record of Boeing's
737-800 converted freighter, and pleased to be the launch customer
for their new London MRO facility," said Magnus Stephensen, senior partner at Icelease.
"We look forward to bringing the freighter in to our fleet to serve
our growing global customer base operating domestic and short-haul
routes."
Earlier this year, Boeing announced it would create additional
737-800BCF conversion capacity at several sites, including a third
conversion line at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Company Limited (GAMECO), and two conversion lines in 2022 with a
new supplier, Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios
Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Costa
Rica. Once the new lines become active, Boeing will have
conversion sites in North America,
Asia and Europe.
Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over
the next 20 years to meet demand. Of those, 1,200 will be
standard-body conversions, with nearly 20% of that demand coming
from European carriers, and 30% coming from North America and Latin America.
The 737-800BCF is the standard body freighter market leader with
more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers. The
737-800BCF offers higher reliability, lower fuel consumption, lower
operating costs per trip and world-class in-service technical
support compared to other standard-body freighters. Learn more
about the 737-800BCF and the complete Boeing freighter family
here.
About Boeing
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops,
manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products
and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a
top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global
supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and
community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating
for the future and living the company's core values of safety,
quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.
Boeing's London Gatwick MRO is a full service maintenance,
repair and overhaul facility offering maintenance and repair
services, modifications, aircraft transitions, aircraft surveys,
and hangar and tooling leasing services.
About Icelease
Icelease ehf, based in Reykjavik,
Iceland, is an aircraft lessor, asset management and trading
platform. Icelease was originally spun off from Icelandair in
2005 and is now an independent organization owned by its managing
partners. Since the spin-off, Icelease has executed more than
$5 billion in aircraft acquisitions
and disposals in both short-term trades and long-term
investments.
The launch of Carolus Cargo Leasing, its Joint Venture project
with Corrum Capital, further solidifies the relationship between
Corrum and Icelease, who formed an initial joint venture in 2019.
Carolus will focus on the acquisition, conversion and leasing of
cargo aircraft on a global basis. www.icelease.is.
About KF Aerospace
For over 50 years, KF Aerospace has delivered innovative
aircraft solutions for corporate, commercial and military customers
worldwide—including major airlines like WestJet, Sunwing, Cargojet,
Lynden Air Cargo and Icelandair. From humble roots in the Okanagan
Valley, KF has grown to specialize in aircraft maintenance and
modifications, military aircrew training, air cargo operations and
leasing—with the same commitment to quality and service established
by its founder in 1970. With facilities across Canada, KF is home to nearly 1,000 highly
skilled employees. To learn more visit www.kfaero.ca
Contact
At Dubai Airshow
Nate
Hulings
Boeing Communications
nathan.a.hulings@boeing.com
+1 425-233-4119
U.S.
Rafael
Gonzalez
Boeing Communications
rafael.d.gonzalez2@boeing.com
+1 314-709-7052
Magnus Stephensen
Senior Partner and Chief Commercial Officer
mst@icelease.is
+354 840 7070
Grant Stevens
Chief Corporate Services Officer
g.stevens@kfaero.ca
+1-250-864-4034
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SOURCE Boeing