Boeing, Airbus and independent aviation engineering companies are trying to meet demand for converting standard passenger jets to cargo configuration.
A handful of small airlines want a piece of the action in air cargo, which continues to grow at a robust pace.
Aircraft conversion houses tear apart passenger aircraft, then reinforce the walls and floor so they can handle heavy cargo on the main deck. Business is growing along with trade.
The Big Twin is the nickname for the Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter conversion aircraft. It’s big, has two engines and is getting ready for metal cutting.
Kalitta Air’s order of 777 passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft is an industry first.
The 737-800 and 767-300 passenger planes are ripe for converting to all-cargo configurations due to their age and capabilities. Boeing is adding extra capacity to keep up with orders.
GE Capital Aviation Services now has 74 orders for Boeing to convert versatile, narrow-body passenger planes for express and e-commerce services.
The global air cargo carrier has tasked Israel Aerospace Industries with converting the planes to all-cargo configuration.
For aircraft lessor GECAS, the “Big Twin” doesn’t refer to a large person. It’s a big twin-engine passenger plane that’s being turned into a cargo plane.
