GAMECO adds third conversion line for Boeing

Boeing will set up a third 737-800BCF conversion line at the Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Ltd. (GAMECO) facility in Guangzhou (CAN), as demand for 737 freighters continues to drive increases in output capacity. GAMECO told Cargo Facts that it expects to begin the third line around January 2022, at which point Boeing will have eight concurrent lines in China for 737-800BCF conversions. [caption id="attachment_415130" align="alignright" width="560"] Boeing began 737-800 conversions at GAMECO in May 2020. (Photo/GAMECO)[/caption] GAMECO recently began its second 737-800BCF line — announced in September 2020 — with the induction of unit 33623 (ex-Ryanair) for ASL Airlines, while the first line started working on BoComm Leasing’s ten-year-old unit 39393 (ex-Shanghai Airlines) in November. The MRO said it plans to redeliver eight 737-800BCFs in 2021. GAMECO has ramped up its conversion operations quickly; after Boeing announced the facility as its third 737-800BCF conversion site in October 2019, the first aircraft (29052, ex-Aeromexico) was inducted in May 2020 and completed by November. Apart from GAMECO, Boeing also uses the Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd. (STAECO) facility in Jinan (TNA) and the Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services (BSAS) facility in Shanghai (PVG) to convert 737-800s. The backlog has already grown this year, with a top-up order in January from BBAM for six firm conversions and six options. The 737-800BCF now has a total of more than 150 orders and commitments, according to Boeing. All three 737-800 conversion programs have increased their capacity in the last twelve months; Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) now uses four facilities for its 737-800SF conversions: STAECO; Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO Xiamen); Commercial Jet in Miami (MIA); and KF Aerospace in Kelowna (YLW), while Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) uses its own facility in Tel Aviv (TLV); the Tianjin Haite Aircraft Engineering facility in Tianjin (TSN); and Mexicana MRO Services in Mexico City (MEX). Including GAMECO’s third line and assuming all current lines remain in place, there will be a total of around twenty lines across nine sites converting 737-800s next year. Cargo Facts Asia, taking place April 20-21 as a virtual experience, is the event for exploring opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region. The event continues to bring together the best, brightest, and most innovative executives in the global air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactsasia.com .

GAMECO adds third conversion line for Boeing

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GAMECO adds third conversion line for Boeing

Robust demand for 737-800 freighters continues

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Americas demand wave drives 737 Classic conversions

Mesa Air looks to cargo for growth

Mesa Air looks to cargo for growth

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CARGO FACTS CONSULTING

Watch: CFC presents its 20-year freighter forecast

CFC: Revision to key assumption lifts large widebody freighter demand forecast

Follow Us