GAMECO (Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited) launched its 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) program on June 16, at its Guangzhou base, holding a door-cutting ceremony of its first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), which commenced the production phase of the program.
GAMECO and Boeing launched work on the new production line of the 737-800BCF last year in response to growing demand in the air cargo market. With sharp declines in passenger air travel, airlines have shifted some of their business toward air cargo, as freighter needs have increased in response to greater cargo demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst these circumstances, the air cargo market has embraced phenomenal challenges and opportunities and now plays an important role in both anti-pandemic relief activities and the reconstruction of supply chains.
The 737-800BCF is built on the Next-Generation 737 platform, well known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and lower operating cost. GAMECO’s freighter-conversion program transitions these passenger airplanes into freighters, extending their service life. A converted 737-800BCF airplane carries up to 52,800 pounds (23.9 metric tons) of payload with excellent operating economics to maximize operator profits. Since entering service in 2018, the 737-800BCF has won more than 130 orders and commitments.