Guy Norris/SEATTLE
Boeing Airplane Services (BAS) plans to launch 757-200SF (special freighter) and 767-200SF passenger to freighter conversion programmes by the end of the year as part of plans to mount a broad attack on the cargo conversion market. It estimates the market could be worth up to $15 billion over the next 20 years.
"We are confident that both will be launched by the end of the year," says BAS customer services director Bill Schuller, who adds that the 757 is likely to be launched first. Although BAS declines to identify the launch customer, it is widely believed to be DHL, which is in negotiation with British Airways over the purchase of at least part of the UK carrier's 757 fleet.
The 767 conversion effort is also aimed at an unidentified customer, although it is believed that Boeing is negotiating 757 and 767 programmes with the same potential operators. BAS is offering some customers new-build 757Fs and 767Fs, as well as conversions, says marketing director, Jeffrey Koch.
The work in both cases will be performed in conjunction with alliance partners, subcontractors and suppliers taken from a list already defined by Boeing as part of the setting up of BAS' global modification and engineering network this year. This includes Aeronavali of Italy, BFGoodrich, Israel Aircraft Industries, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, a group of Taiwanese companies, SR Technics, TAECO of China and ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering of Alabama. Specific partnerships on the 757 and 767 programmes have yet to be revealed, although Ilyushin is part of the design study team for the 767 conversion.
The 757 would carry 14 main deck 88 x 125 pallets. Boeing says it offers 20% more volume for the same tonne-kilometre costs as the 727-200.
Of the 1,500 aircraft BAS predicts will be converted to freighters over the next 20 years, it believes at least 1,000 are likely to be Boeing and former McDonnell Douglas aircraft. It estimates the 757 could account for up to 200, with the 767 making up a similar tally. The rest would be split relatively equally between large 747 freighter conversions, which will include -400Fs from early 2003, and smaller narrowbody conversions of the 737 "Classic" family, MD-80s and MD-90s. The timetable for virtually all conversions has been brought forward, with MD-80/90 conversions expected to begin in 2001 rather than 2004. The 747-400F conversions are likely to start in early 2003 rather than late 2004.
According to Schuller, the acceleration is due to "market changes, regulatory pressures on older aircraft, increased demand for freight hauling and the return on cargo carrying going up. In many airlines, cargo is becoming king".
Source: Flight International
