SIA Engineering is in talks with Boeing to become an approved provider of 747-400 passenger-to-freighter conversions when the US manufacturer formally launches the programme.
"We have always said that if the yields were right, we would move into cargo conversions," says SIA Engineering chief executive William Tan. The company is in discussions with Boeing about doing work under the manufacturer's supplemental type certificate, but has yet to decide whether to proceed, says Tan. Boeing is currently seeking a launch customer for the 747-400 Special Freighter.
Entering the freighter conversion market would bring SIA Engineering into competition with its compatriot, Singapore Technologies Aerospace.
The majority-owned Singapore Airlines (SIA) maintenance subsidiary reported a 4% increase in net profit for the six months to the end of 30 September. It has managed to weather the economic downturn by concentrating on newer aircraft types such as the 747-400, Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 where competition among overhaul providers is less fierce, and is reducing its reliance on captive SIA business by building up its third-party customer base.
Source: Flight International
