GECAS’ Cargo Aircraft Group Underway With First 737-800NG Passenger-to-Freighter Conversion
May 16 2016 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the aviation leasing and
financing arm of GE [NYSE: GE], today announced that it is underway
with its inaugural 737-800NG passenger-to-freighter conversion with
Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI). GECAS announced the
launch of its AEI passenger-to-freighter conversion program at the
Paris Air Show in June 2015.
A 1999 vintage 737-800 arrived in Miami on May 5. The aircraft
had been operated by Corendon Airlines in Turkey. Conversion and
the subsequent certification process are scheduled to take
approximately a year. This will be AEI’s first 737-800NG freighter
conversion.
The aircraft will be equipped with a rigid cargo barrier and
have 12 main deck pallet positions … 11 full height containers,
plus a one-half width container. The aircraft has a maximum
structural payload of 23,500 kg (51,800lb) and a max range of over
2,100 nautical miles.
GECAS plans to convert up to 20 of its Boeing 737-800NG
passenger aircraft to freighters with AEI. The conversions will be
performed at authorized AEI Conversion Centers at facilities in the
U.S. and Asia.
GECAS is also the launch customer for Boeing’s 738BCF program,
and a similar aircraft will be inducted into their program later
this year.
Formed in 2000, GECAS’ Cargo Aircraft Group currently leases
nearly 100 freighters to airline customers worldwide. Its fleet
includes the 737, 767, 747 and 777 freighter models. In July, GECAS
announced plans to convert up to 20 737-800NG passenger aircraft to
freighters beginning in 2016.
“The 737-800NG freighter will complement the GECAS cargo
portfolio and clearly become an important narrow body freighter to
support the future express air cargo markets,” said Rich Greener,
SVP & Manager - Cargo for GECAS.
“As the pre-eminent commercial airline leasing company in the
world, we are excited to begin the first B737-800SF conversion with
GECAS,” said Roy Sandri, AEI president. “This is a terrific
milestone for AEI, and we’re thrilled that the first B737-800SF
modification is officially underway.”
About Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI)
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is a global leader in the
aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversion business and is the
oldest conversion company in existence today. Since the company’s
founding in 1958, AEI has developed over 120 Supplemental Type
Certificates (STCs) and has modified over 400 aircraft with the
STCs. AEI helps its customers extend aircraft life and increase the
overall value of aircraft assets by continuously focusing on
dependable and flexible product offerings. AEI currently offers
passenger-to-freighter conversions for the Boeing 737-400, 737-300,
and MD-80 aircraft. Additionally, AEI will offer the market its new
CRJ 200 freighter conversion in 2016, followed by the Boeing
737-800 full freighter and combi conversions in 2017.
www.aeronautical-engineers.com
About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is a world leader in
aviation leasing and financing. With over 45 years of experience,
GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including
narrow-bodies, wide-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters
and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services
including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt
financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts
management and airport/airline consulting. GECAS owns or services a
fleet of over 2,000 aircraft (~1,784 fixed wing/ ~246 rotary wing)
in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an
additional ~380 aircraft. GECAS serves over 270 customers in 80
countries from a network of 26 offices. www.gecas.com
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company,
transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions
that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized
around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through
which each business shares and accesses the same technology,
markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels
innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With
people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes
for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
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GE CapitalAviation ServicesDan Whitney, +1-203-842-5229Vice
President, Global Communicationsdan.whitney@ge.com
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