Boeing to Add B767-300BCF Conversion Capacity at ST Engineering’s airframe facility in Guangzhou , China to meet Growing Demand !

Boeing and ST Engineering agree to Add Capacity to B767-300BCF Conversions

On Dec. 18, 2015 , ST Aerospace Services Co. in Singapore and Boeing had successfully delivered the first Boeing B767-300 Converted Freighter (BCF) to China based SF Airlines , then onwards - the program has been a hit among the freighter operators.

Demand for passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions has surged these days , resulting in an expansion of aircraft types undergoing conversion , B767-300 was among the perfect fit for the task.

Today, Boeing and ST Engineering announced at the Singapore Airshow plans to create additional capacity for the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) to support growing customer demand worldwide.

Freighters were the highlight of the year 2020 , owing to a fall of capacity in the lower cargo holds of passenger aircraft , those came to a standstill  due to the international travel restrictions and disrupted passenger services.

'Preighters' were not Sufficient !

Preighters (Passenger cabins as freighters) did some job for the short time, but was not sufficient for the freight demands around the world , that went into a lock down , hence the demand for the conversions of passenger aircraft to freighters increased in multiples.

• The 767-300BCF can carry up to 51.6 tons (113,900 pounds) with 24 pallet positions on the main deck and a range of 3,345 nautical miles (6,190 kilometers). 
• A 767-300 passenger aircraft undergoes major modifications on its main deck, and the converted 767-300BCF has a 412,000lbs (187,270kg) maximum takeoff weight.

Seeing the demand upfront , Boeing has braced up to meet the demand and decided to add a 767-300BCF conversion line at ST Engineering’s airframe facility in Guangzhou, China , in the second half of 2022.

“Boeing is pleased to further expand our strong and long-standing relationship with ST Engineering on the versatile 767-300BCF and its global customer base,” said Ted Colbert, President & CEO of Boeing Global Services.

“ST Engineering has been an MRO supplier for more than forty 767-300BCF conversions and their technical expertise and commitment to the program is recognized and greatly appreciated."   

“Our latest 767-300BCF conversion line will strongly augment the conversion capacity for the Boeing Converted Freighter,” said Jeffrey Lam, Commercial Aerospace President, ST Engineering. “We look forward to replicating our long-term collaboration with Boeing by consistently delivering on time and high-quality conversions,” he said.

However demand is not new , in  October 2020 , Boeing had published its latest 20-year cargo outlook where the aircraft manufacturer forecasts that airlines will need 2,430 additional freighters; this will include 930 of them newly built widebodies such as the 747-8F, 767F and 777F, as well as 1,500 P2F conversions.

Now, the new line adds to the two 767-300BCF additional conversion lines Boeing previously announced at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO), an existing MRO supplier for 737-800BCF conversions. Last year, Boeing also announced plans to add eight 737-800BCF conversion lines across new and existing MRO suppliers.

The 767-300BCF now has more than 100 orders and commitments from customers around the globe, providing widebody converted freighter capability to meet growing market demand. This includes orders placed late last year from customers ATSG, a global leader in cargo leasing, and DHL, who placed its largest single 767-300BCF order to date.

The 767-300BCF is a versatile aircraft that allows carriers to develop in long-haul, regional and feeder markets. With the lowest operating cost per trip among medium-widebody freighter conversions, the 767-300BCF is the solution of choice in the size category, with more than 100 orders and commitments.
 

Latest is , Boeing forecasts a need for 1,720 freighter conversions over the next 20 years. Asia-Pacific-based airlines will require 505 large and medium widebody freighters, both production and conversions, through year 2040, according to the 2021 Boeing Commercial Market Outlook.

Boeing says,

With more than 40 years of experience in passenger-to-freighter conversions, Boeing brings unparalleled expertise in the original airplane design, fully integrated manuals and world-class technical support, as well as deep knowledge of air cargo industry needs, to every conversion.

In addition, operators benefit from the industry’s largest portfolio of digital maintenance and fleet performance tools, helping them to maximize their operations and get the most from their freighter fleet.