Alcoa has selected Miami-based modification specialist Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) to perform its Boeing 757-200 passenger to cargo conversions, writes Guy Norris.
Alcoa's first "14Plus" 757 conversion, which was certificated by the US Federal Aviation Administration last year, was performed as an initial modification by Abbotsford, Canada-based Cascade Aerospace.
Richard Gauvin, director of sales and marketing vice-president for Alcoa-SIE Cargo Conversions, says the AEI deal does not affect a similar conversion and maintenance agreement made with American Airlines in July 2006. "We still have a contract with American, each facility has a non-exclusive agreement with us," he adds.
AEI offers its own 737-200/300/400 cargo conversion. Operations vice-president David McDonald says that the addition of the 757 work is "a good fit". He expects "the 757 to get going fairly quickly. Alcoa will provide the kit for us to complete them."
Meanwhile the first of 87 ex-passenger 757-200s to be converted for FedEx Express by ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering in Alabama is due to be inducted for modification in May, with redelivery to FedEx in December.
Source: Flight International
