Boeing has dropped plans to develop with partners a cargo conversion for the Boeing 737-300/400 after five years of failing to find a launch customer, writes Brendan Sobie.
The manufacturer has been partnered with Taiwan’s Inter-Continental Aircraft Services (ICAS) since 2000 in pursuing a 737-300/400 Special Freighter (SF) programme, but ICAS is now shutting down.
ICAS president Alex Tong says the consortium has asked Boeing if it is interested in continuing the programme with other partners, but Boeing says it is to drop all plans to pursue a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the 737-300/400SF. “Our marketing group believes current sources of 737 Classic conversion STCs are sufficient,” the manufacturer says.
Florida-based Aeronautical Engineers, Alabama-based Pemco Aviation Group and Israel Aircraft Industries hold STCs for 737-300/400 cargo conversions, but are not supported by Boeing.
Boeing launched its proposed 737-300/400 cargo conversion programme in 2000, with ICAS and Goodrich as subcontractors. ICAS later became sole prime contractor and Boeing continued to provide engineering support, including licensed data, which other 737 cargo-conversion providers cannot access.
Source: Flight International
