GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has unveiled plans to convert 20 of its Boeing 737-800NG passenger aircraft into freighters.
The company has approached AEI Aeronautical Engineers for the project, which will be carried out at the latter’s facilities in the US and China.
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In order to achieve FAA supplemental-type certification (STC) in 2017 and enter service as a leased freighter, the conversion of the first aircraft is scheduled to start in 2016.
GECAS speciality markets executive vice-president Christopher Damianos said: "We believe the 737-800NG freighter will be the best-in-class aircraft for both replacement and growth in the narrow body freighter sector."
GECAS’ Cargo Aircraft Group was formed in 2000, and currently leases around 100 freighters to airlines worldwide.
The company operates a fleet of 737, 767, 747 and 777 freighter aircraft.
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By GlobalDataGECAS announced plans to convert Boeing 737-300 and 400 aircraft to freighter aircraft in 2001, and the expanded the programme to include Boeing 767-200 models.
In 2005, the group began conversion work on the Boeing 747-400 series. GECAS has so far leased more than 60 converted freighters to air cargo carriers.
AEI sales and marketing senior vice-president Bob Convey said: "We expect that the B737-800SF will be a mainstay in cargo operators’ fleets for the next 20 plus years, and we look forward to working with GECAS to provide them with a high residual value solution for their existing B737-800 fleet."
Image: A GECAS aircraft in flight. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.
