Chinese aerospace firm Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company (STAECO) will add two more Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) production lines to its existing conversion capacity, amid strong market demand.
The first of the two new lines will operate from the first quarter of 2022, with the second to follow in the middle of the year. Once operational, the Jinan-based MRO firm will have seven 737-800BCF conversion lines.
STAECO, a joint venture by Hong Kong’s HAECO. is the one of the three Chinese aerospace firms involved in the BCF programme. The other two companies are Guangzhou-based GAMECO, as well as Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services.
Boeing also has 737-800BCF production lines in Costa Rica, Canada, as well as in the UK.
According to the airframer’s recent market outlook, Asian carriers will account for about 40% of the 1,200 standard body conversions over the next 20 years.
To date, Boeing has clinched more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 operators for the 737-800BCF.
Says Peter Gao, Boeing vice president for commercial sales and marketing: “Boeing is pleased to continue growing our strong and mutually beneficial relationship with STAECO by creating additional conversion capacity to meet growing global demand.”
