Boeing Shanghai Signs 737 Passenger-to-Freighter Conversion Contract with Kenya Airways

Oct. 30, 2012
Boeing Shanghai will perform the first airplane conversion for Kenya Airways beginning in late 2012 at Boeing Shanghai’s facility located at Pudong International Airport.

SHANGHAI, Oct. 29, 2012 – Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd., (Boeing Shanghai) has contracted with Kenya Airways and Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) to provide two passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversions of Kenya Airways’ 737-300 airplanes. This is the first PTF conversion project undertaken by Boeing Shanghai.

Boeing Shanghai will perform the first airplane conversion for Kenya Airways beginning in late 2012 at Boeing Shanghai’s facility located at Pudong International Airport. Boeing Shanghai expects to redeliver the airplane to Kenya Airways in the first quarter of 2013.

“This PTF conversion provides an important milestone for us to continue our plans to expand capability to serve the global market,” said Dermot Swan, CEO of Boeing Shanghai. “Kenya Airways is a valued customer and we appreciate their confidence in Boeing Shanghai. We look forward to a long-term relationship with AEI and Kenya Airways as their preferred aircraft modification service provider.”

This modification will be completed under AEI’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). AEI is a licensee of 737 Classic engineering data from Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Boeing Shanghai is an important part of Boeing’s broad presence in China,” said Marc Allen, president of Boeing China. “This milestone PTF conversion agreement coincides with our ongoing celebration of the 40th anniversary of Boeing in China. For two generations now, the story of our partnership has been about mutual growth, development and capabilities increases. This step continues the journey.”

Boeing Shanghai was established in June 2006 as a joint venture between Boeing, Shanghai Airport Authorities and China Eastern Airlines. Boeing Shanghai offers a broad range of services from engineering, aircraft maintenance and modification to material management and component repair and overhaul.  Boeing Shanghai supports customers located throughout the world.

Founded in 1977, Kenya Airways is one of the most respected airline companies in Africa with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The airline serves 59 cities in Asia, Africa and Europe.  Currently the airline operates six 737-300s.

Formed in 1958, Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. is the oldest airplane conversion company in existence today. For more than 50 years AEI has provided advanced engineering solutions to aircraft owners and operators. Today the company is a global leader in passenger to freighter conversions for a wide array of aircraft, helping customers extend the life of the aircraft and increase the value of their asset.