by Staff Correspondent
To create additional capacity for the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter, the American aerospace giant Boeing announced a partnership with Coopesa (Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA), a Costa Rica-based maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO).
As mutually agreed, the first of the new conversion lines is expected to open in early 2022, with the second anticipated later. Boeing will open two 737-800BCF conversion lines in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
“Boeing forecasts 1,500 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years to meet growing demand. Of those, 1,080 will be standard-body conversions, with nearly 30% of that demand coming from North America and Latin America,” said Jens Steinhagen, director of Boeing freighter conversions.
Presently, Boeing converts 737-800 passenger airplanes to freighters at three locations: Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services (BSAS) in Shanghai, China; Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO) in Guangzhou, China; and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (STAECO) in Jinan, China.
Jena Steinhagen, director of Boeing freighter conversions informed that COOPESA had exhibited the technical expertise and commitment primarily important to us. “The quality and execution to meet the growing customer demands for 737-800 BCF which are seeking, have been ensured by COOPESA,” added the director, BFC.
Whilst commenting on the alliance, CEO of COOPESA, Kenneth Waugh expressed gratitude towards Boeing for choosing COOPESA as a strategic partner. “We are honored that Boeing has chosen COOPESA as a strategic partner to provide conversion services for the 737-800BCF. We look forward to helping Boeing meet market demand with the technical quality and skilled workforce that has characterized COOPESA in its 58 years of operation,” he added.