Conversion houses look to European MROs

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed an MoU with Lithuania-based Aviatic MRO UAB to cooperate on maintenance projects and eventually establish a conversion line for 737NG aircraft at its new facility at Siauliai Airport (SQQ). Although there exist MROs in continental Europe that convert turboprops and medium-widebody passenger aircraft to freighter configuration, this could be the first narrowbody conversion line. Other STC holders may follow in establishing conversion lines for carriers based in the region. [caption id="attachment_415581" align="alignright" width="560"] Aviatic MRO will initially perform base maintenance but will eventually carry out 737 conversions. (Photo/Aviatic MRO)[/caption] A source familiar with MRO capabilities in Europe told Cargo Facts that Western Europe is home to MROs that would be capable of performing touch labor according to a conversion STC. However, labor costs often put these MROs at a ( cost ) disadvantage compared to facilities in Asia and the Americas. MROs in Eastern Europe can be closer in price to th os e based in China , the source said. Of the nine sites currently providing touch labor for 737NG conversions, six are located in China : Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd. (STAECO) in Jinan (TNA); Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services (BSAS) in Shanghai (PVG); Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Ltd. (GAMECO) in Guangzhou (CAN); Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO Xiamen) in Xiamen (XMN); and Tianjin Haite Aircraft Engineering in Tianjin (TSN). Aviatic’s Siauliai facility , which IAI had identified in late 2019 as a potential site for freighter conversions , had been expected to open in 2021 and was designed to provide maintenance services for narrowbody aircraft including D-checks, a sset management , storage and part-out . The facility, which has capacity to hold six narrowbodies simultaneously, is now expected in the second half of 2022 . Initially, m aintenance activities will remain the focus , “in order to accumulate experience in order to build its conversion capabilities and gradually get ready to become a cargo conversion site,” Rafi Matalon , senior director, GM m arketing of IAI , told Cargo Facts. The facility is expected to convert 737-700s, 737-800s and “more types,” according to Matalon. IAI actively converts 737-800s and 767-300s in Tel Aviv (TLV) and Mexico City (MEX ), and is developing a passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the 777-300 ER . Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) currently has the only active conversion lines for jet aircraft in continental Europe , with its A330P2F program at its Dresden (DRS) facility. IPR Conversions and Aeroconseil convert ATR turboprops into freighter configuration at various European MROs, and Taby Air Maintenance converts Saab 340 freighters at its MRO facility at Örebro Airport (ORB). 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 .

Conversion houses look to European MROs

FedEx quarterly profits up with high airfreight rates expected for at least next year

737-800F deliveries to China accelerate 737 Classic growth in SE Asia

737-800F deliveries to China accelerate 737 Classic growth in SE Asia

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password