AEI expands 737 conversion capacity despite slowdown

Grand China Aviation Maintenance Co (GCAM) has become the sixth Aeronautical Engineers, Inc (AEI) authorised conversion centre.

The HNA Aviation Technic Co-owned conversion company will convert at least three AEI Boeing 737-800SFs on behalf of Hainan Airlines at its Hainan facility.

AEI said it was expanding capacity to meet an anticipated rise in demand in China.

“While the global narrowbody conversion market has slowed somewhat over the last year, we are nonetheless expanding conversion capacity as we believe the market will improve with China recording a stronger recovery over the next several years,” said Robert Convey, AEI senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“AEI has been a leader in global narrowbody freighter market for over 60 years, we understand the market fluctuations and are preparing to ensure our customers have as many options as possible.”

Dongsheng Yang, general manager of the market development department, added: “In the post-epidemic period, there is still a large demand in the cargo market, and there is a huge market potential in the Asia Pacific region about the Boeing 737 freighter conversion business.

“GCAM takes advantage of the policy of Hainan Free Trade Port, seize the market opportunity, and build the freighter conversion capacity.

“At the same time, GCAM has great advantages in product price, maintenance ability, maintenance quality and service quality, and can attract many domestic and foreign customers to Hainan in the future to carry out freighter conversion business.”

While an exact date has not been set, AEI expects the first B737-800SF to be converted at the GCAM facility to commence in the first quarter of 2024.

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