US maintenance and modification company Pemco Aviation Group has appointed Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as the first overseas centre for its Boeing 737 freighter conversion programme. As part of a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the two companies this week at Asian Aerospace 2004, MAS's engineering and maintenance unit will potentially modify passenger 737-200/300/400s into convertibles and freighters for Asian operators. All Pemco conversion kits are now installed at its plant in Birmingham, Alabama. The US company hopes having an Asian partner could lead to new business in the region. The deal also helps Pemco compete with rival Israel Aircraft Industries, which also offers 737-300/400 conversions and last year selected Garuda maintenance facility Aero Asia as its first overseas centre. Boeing also hopes to launch a 737-300/400 conversion programme with Taiwan's Inter-Continental Aircraft Services.
Source: Flight International
