NICHOLAS IONIDES / JEJU
Korean Air (KAL) is planning to have up to seven Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft converted into freighters with Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Bedek Aviation Group the frontrunner in the race to carry out the modifications. KAL is also evaluating the freighter version of the Airbus A380 following confirmation last week of a deal for up to eight passenger aircraft.
The airline's 747-400 conversion plan is to meet its growth needs, and to replace ageing Boeing 747-200Fs and MD-11Fs. Speaking to Flight International at last week's Association of Asia Pacific Airlines meeting in Jeju, South Korea, KAL's senior vice-president of the SkyTeam Alliance carrier's cargo business division, Ken Choi, said that the contract is likely to go to Bedek, rather than Boeing.
Choi says IAI is asking around $17 million for a 747-400 conversion - far less than Boeing. IAI has launched its programme, backed by two undisclosed customers, while Boeing is seeking customers for its as yet unlaunched modification. The first re-deliveries for each conversion are expected in 2005.
KAL operates 26 747-400 passenger aircraft, and is already a major freighter operator, with 10 747-400Fs, one 747-400ERF, five 747-200Fs and four MD-11Fs. Choi says the carrier plans to have 747-400 passenger aircraft converted into freighters as the aircraft reach 15 years of age. Current plans call for either six or seven of the type to be converted from 2005. KAL also has four additional 747-400ERFs on firm order and all will be delivered by the end of next year. In addition, two 747-200Fs have been bought back by Boeing, says Choi, and these will be withdrawn from KAL's fleet before the end of this year.
"We also plan to have a sale and leaseback for the remaining three 747-200Fs," he says, adding that the ultimate plan is to stop operating this older variant.
The MD-11Fs will also be retired over the next two years - two next year and the remaining two in 2005.
Having firmed up an order last week for five A380s, plus three options for delivery from 2007, Choi says KAL will consider taking some as freighters. He says KAL has the option to convert some of the A380 passenger orders into freighter orders by giving Airbus 36 months' notice.
Source: Flight International
