Atlas and Boeing ink deal for nine B767 freighter conversions
11 / 10 / 2016
Freighter lessor Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW ) has placed an order with plane maker Boeing to convert nine 767 passenger airplanes into Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF).
Four of the orders were previously announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July this year, attributed to an “unidentified customer”, widely thought to be internet retailer Amazon.
In May this year, Amazon signed up to lease 20 B767-300 freighters from New York-based AAWW, a deal which granted Amazon warrants to acquire up to 20% of Atlas’ common shares at $37.50 per share over five years.
The first commercial flight (pictured above) of the Amazon and Atlas Air deal took place on August 10, with "Amazon One" departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and landing in Wilmington Air Park Airport.
“Boeing has been a longtime and trusted partner as we’ve built our fleet and business,” said AAWW president and chief executive Bill Flynn.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Boeing to provide operational excellence and support for our customers.”
Rick Anderson, vice president of sales and marketing, Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, said: “We look forward to supporting Atlas with our Boeing Converted Freighters as they expand their freighter operations.
“With more than 40 years of experience in passenger-to-freighter conversions, Boeing has a deep understanding of the needs of the air cargo industry.
“Our freighter conversion program not only provides customers with world-class Boeing platforms, we also offer global support and the assurance of a Boeing-backed program.”
Boeing’s current market outlook forecasts a need for 400 widebody conversions over the next two decades, with strong demand for 767 freighter conversions due to a rise in e-commerce.
