SF Airlines orders more 757 conversions

Shenzhen-based SF Airlines awarded a contract to US-based Precision Conversions for an undisclosed number of passenger-to-freighter conversions of 757-200s to 15-pallet PCF configuration, with all of the modification work to be done at TAECO’s Xiamen facility. Cargo Facts believes, but has not been able to confirm, that the contract is for at least five conversions.

The first unit (27512, ex-Air China) is in conversion at Xiamen now. A second aircraft (27270, also ex-Air China) is believed to be the next candidate for conversion.

SF’s current fleet includes two 737-300Fs and five 757-200Fs, as well as almost 20 freighters either chartered or ACMI-leased, but as we reported last week, the carrier plans a massive fleet expansion over the next ten years. In a presentation at the Cargo Facts Asia event in Hong Kong, George Li Dongqi, President of SF Airlines (and VP of parent SF Express) said the carrier planned to expand its fleet from the current 25 narrowbody freighters (owned, chartered, and ACMI-leased) to over 60 units by 2015 (including widebodies), and over 150 by 2021. Mr. Li did not specify which freighter types, other than 757-200Fs, would be added to the owned fleet.

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