PEMCO in B737 freighter conversion deal with COOPESA
24 / 02 / 2014
AIRCRAFT conversions specialist PEMCO World Air Services (PEMCO) has agreed a new B737 freighter conversion partnership with COOPESA (Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
PEMCO’s expansion into Central America provides additional freighter conversion capacity to meet extraordinary demand for its B737-300 and -400 freighters, the world’s only B737 freighter designed, built, certified and supported utilising Boeing design data to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of the cargo modification, says a statement.
COOPESA’s technical expertise and competitive financials, combined with its great location and culture make PEMCO’s newest passenger-to-freighter [p2f] conversion operation a compelling option, particularly for Latin American markets, it adds.
The first p2f project at PEMCO’s Costa Rica operation was a B737-400, 11-position, high-yield freighter.
The project included a heavy C-check, extensive structures and avionics upgrades, and full paint – all performed conveniently at one location. Redelivery is scheduled later this month.
“PEMCO’s continued success in South American markets has opened new doors necessitating this expansion,” says Bill Meehan, chief executive.
“In addition to our established conversion sites in the USA and Asia, COOPESA’s Central America location provides easy access for North and South America-based customers, as well as an attractive option for European customers,” he adds.
“There has been conjecture regarding a PEMCO expansion into a new facility for the past few months. The opportunity to expand into Central and South America was at the top of our priorities and the partnership with COOPESA is one that makes sense from a financial, technical and geographic perspective," Meehan adds.
The new alliance will provide much needed slot availability in order to keep up with pending orders, bringing the number of active PEMCO conversion lines to eight at the moment, ramping to at least nine by mid-2014,” points out Kevin Casey, president of PEMCO.
“A substantial portion of our 100+ B737-400/300 conversions have been accomplished in partner operations, all delivered with excellent quality, turn-time and financials. There is every reason to believe we will achieve exemplary results with COOPESA as well.”
