Andy Nativi/GENOA
Aeronavali is expanding its freighter conversion business beyond the McDonnell Douglas (MDC) DC-10, with plans to add the Boeing 767 widebody and ATR turboprop to its portfolio.
The company, a division of Italian aerospace giant Alenia Aerospazio/Finmeccanica, had long-term links with MDC and holds exclusive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licences (now with Boeing) for cargo conversions of the DC-8 and DC-10/MD-11. Aeronavali recently expanded its facilities beyond the plants in Venice and Naples by the take-over of the former Agusta plant in Brindisi.
This provides the capacity to work on nine aircraft simultaneously - four in Venice, two in Naples and two in hangars being redeveloped in Brindisi.
The Italian conversion specialist is discussing a link with Boeing Airplane Services (BAS) on its planned after-market conversion programme for the 767. BAS plans to establish a network of regional partners on its conversion programmes, with Aeronavali aiming to be designated as the European arm.
BAS is working towards a launch of the 767F conversion this year, having set up a similar 757-200F programme last October on the back of a deal with DHL. Unlike the MDC programmes, Aeronavali will not have exclusive rights for the 767, which will be retained by Boeing.
Meanwhile, Aeronavali is studying an entry into the smaller end of the conversion market with a conversion programme for the ATR 42/72 regional turboprop.
About 580 examples of the 48-70 seater have been produced by the Alenia/Aerospatiale Matra consortium. The type is seen as a potential replacement for the large fleets of Fokker F27 freighters in service worldwide.
A market study is under way. If the programme goes ahead, a larger freight door will be designed to enable the aircraft to carry standard LD3 sized containers.
• Aeronavali has won a L160 billion ($79.5 million) contract from Finova Capital to convert six DC-10-30s (plus three options) to full cargo configuration.
Source: Flight International
