Taiwan repair shop aims to offer 747-400 conversions after opening second hangar
Taiwan's Evergreen Aviation Technologies (EGAT) aims to become a cargo-conversion centre for the Boeing 747-400 by year-end and is pursuing partnerships with Boeing and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
EGAT, which is looking to expand into cargo conversions following the 31 December opening of a second hangar, would be one of five repair shops in Asia offering 747-400 conversions. Boeing has already appointed Korean Air (KAL) Aerospace, Singapore Airlines (SIA) Engineering and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) as centres for its 747-400SF programme. Industry sources say EGAT and Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero) are lobbying to serve as a fourth shop for Boeing or a second shop for IAI, which has already begun converting 747-400s under a separate supplemental type certificate (STC) in Israel.
IAI has so far secured two orders for combi-to-freighter conversions from US lessor Guggenheim Aviation Partners. It is courting several potential new customers, including South Korea's Asiana, whose aircraft could be converted in Israel, Singapore or Taiwan.
Asiana says it plans to convert one of its six 747-400 combis into a freighter next year. Sources say Asiana is only negotiating with IAI because IAI is pursuing an STC for combi-to-freighter conversions first, while Boeing will not be able to offer this product until 2008. Asiana is considering appointing EGAT, which it uses for heavy maintenance, as its conversion centre.
Sources say EGAT may also convert aircraft for sister company EVA Air, which has been considering acquiring 747-400SF as part of a cargo expansion plan. EVA already operates a mix of 747-400 passenger aircraft, combis and freighters. EGAT is also pursuing several other carriers but faces stiff competition.
"Trying to get a contract is tough because there's a lot clamouring for it," says a source.
KAL and SIA have each purchased from Boeing several conversion kits, which are available to any maintenance shop. Orders for 747-400SFs placed directly with Boeing are generally funnelled to TAECO, which is part-owned by Boeing and is working on the prototype aircraft.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
