SHANGHAI, August 12, 2014 – Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd., (Boeing Shanghai) today redelivered the third of three Boeing 737-400 passenger-to-freighter conversions to Hainan Airlines and Yangtze River Express, both subsidiaries of the HNA Group. The modification was conducted under the Supplemental Type Certificate held by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI).
With this redelivery Boeing Shanghai will have completed five conversions at their facility, which is strategically located at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport.
“We are pleased to have Boeing Shanghai’s professional team to support our 737-400 passenger-to-freighter conversion program. Their hard work and high level of technology and quality ensure reliable, safe flights,” said Liu Wenbin, General Manager of Hainan Airlines Engineering. “We see this successful conversion program as a good start for future cooperation with Boeing Shanghai in more areas.”
“AEI is very proud to have been selected by Hainan Airlines and Yangtze River Express for their 737-400 freighter program and to have teamed with Boeing Shanghai to deliver these conversions. AEI looks forward to a continuing relationship with both airlines as they plan future fleet upgrades,” said David McDonald, Vice President of AEI. “We also look forward to working together with Boeing Shanghai to pursue opportunities for serving more customers in Asia.”
“This redelivery is a testament to Boeing Shanghai’s capability of providing high-quality and on-time conversions. It is our honor that Hainan Airlines and Yangtze River Express selecting Boeing Shanghai to be their aircraft modification service provider,” said Dermot Swan, CEO of Boeing Shanghai. “Our partnership with AEI ensures the successful completion of this well-designed conversion that enables the operator to maximize the value and operational efficiency of an important asset. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Hainan Airlines, Yangtze River Express and AEI.”
Hainan Airlines, with headquarters in Haikou, is the largest privately-owned air transport company and the fourth-largest airline in terms of fleet size in China. It operates scheduled domestic and international services on 500 routes from Hainan and nine locations on the mainland, as well as charter services.
Yangtze River Express Airlines Company Limited provides domestic and international air cargo transportation and logistics services. Yangtze River has 40 domestic and international routes and more than 800 staff and presently operates more than 200 flights weekly.
Formed in 1958, Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is the oldest conversion company in existence today. For more than 55 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. AEI has developed over 120 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and 388 aircraft have been modified with AEI STCs – more than any other conversion provider.
Boeing Shanghai is 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.
