EVA Air is bolstering its cargo fleet with a revamp of its Boeing 777 order to include the all-cargo 777F variant and the conversion of some of its 747-400s into freighters.
"We propose to have 13 777-300ERs and two 777 Freighters," says EVA Air, which will mean that two existing -200LR orders will be switched to the freighter. The Taiwanese carrier has already received three of the 13 777-300ERs is has on order.
The plan confirms a long-expected move to drop the -200LR order. EVA says the switch was prompted by the fact that it has "enough" passenger aircraft but needs more freighters.
The airline, which operates three 747-400Fs and 11 MD-11Fs, has contracted Israel Aircraft Industries to convert eight 747-400s - two passenger aircraft and six combis - to freighters. Work will start this year and continue until 2009, with the first redelivery due in April.
Source: Flight International
