Japan Airlines has become the fifth airline to publicly commit to Boeing's 747-400 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme with a deal for up to seven modifications. The carrier says it has finalised agreement to have three of its passenger 747-400s converted under Boeing's Special Freighter programme in 2006 and 2007. It has also taken options on another four conversions. The first converted aircraft is to re-enter service in May 2006, says JAL, followed by the second before the end of that fiscal year on 31 March 2007. The third will enter service after April 2007. The work is likely to be performed at Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering in China, in which Boeing and JAL have minority stakes.
Source: Flight International
