Boeing and Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) have announced the official opening of the first China-based Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) line, located in Guangzhou. In addition, on-site door cutting of the first aircraft has begun, marking a significant milestone in the conversion process. This is also the first of two 767-300BCF passenger-to-freighter conversion programmes GAMECO intends to have operational by year end in China. On top of the site’s three existing 737-800BCF lines, this makes it the very first MRO to convert both the 767-300BCF and the 737-800BCF.
“Broadening our relationship with GAMECO to include the 767-300BCF strengthens our ability to meet the needs of our customers and continue supporting growth in the region,” said Peter Gao, Vice President, Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing for China. “GAMECO has proven its technical expertise and commitment to excellence through its work on the 737-800BCF programme and we have no doubt that will continue with the introduction of our medium wide-body BCF.”
The 767-300BCF enables carriers to develop long-haul, regional and feeder markets. Also having over 100 orders and commitments. Boeing has forecast a need for 1,720 freighter conversions over the next 20 years. Asia-Pacific-based airlines will require 505 large and medium wide-body freighters, both production and conversions, through year 2040, based on the 2021 Boeing Commercial Market Outlook.