Cathay Pacific starts Boeing 747-400 freighter conversion
Cathay Pacific Airways held a ceremony Thursday in Xiamen to mark the start of work of the first ever conversion of a Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft into a freighter, the Boeing 747-400SF, or Special Freighter.
The prototype 747-400SF is being converted at the Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. engineering works in Xiamen from a former Cathay Pacific passenger aircraft. It will be completely gutted and rebuilt inside with new structural beams and a stronger floor able to support the weight of more than 113 tons of freight.
Cathay Pacific has signed up for at least six and as many as 12 of the 747-400SF aircraft. The others will be converted from passenger 747-400 aircraft acquired from other airlines.
"Making freighters from passenger aircraft is a quick and cost effective way for the airline to meet growing demand for air cargo services. Conversion programs exist for other Boeing aircraft but the 747-400SF will offer greater payload and range," Cathay Pacific said.
