Boeing Shanghai Selected by AEI for Yangtze River Express 737-400 Freighter Conversions
SHANGHAI, June 24, 2013 – Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd., (Boeing Shanghai) has been selected by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) to convert three 737-400s to freighters for Yangtze River Express. AEI previously signed the 737-400s Passenger-to-Freighter (PTF) conversions contract with Yangtze River Express.
Boeing Shanghai will perform conversions under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) held by AEI. The first of three 737-400 was inducted in early July for PTF conversion and painting at Boeing Shanghai’s facility located at Pudong International Airport and the airplane is scheduled for redelivery to Yangtze River Express in the fourth quarter of 2013.
“This agreement is a testament to the ability of Boeing Shanghai to provide our customers with high quality and on-time PTF conversion services,” said Dermot Swan, CEO of Boeing Shanghai. “We are delighted that AEI once again chose Boeing Shanghai for these conversions, and we look forward to long-term relationships with AEI and Yangtze River Express/Hainan Airlines.”
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 375 aircraft have been modified with AEI STCs – more than any other conversion provider.
Yangtze River Express Airlines Company Limited, a joint venture formed by HNA Group and China Airlines, is a professional cargo carrier which provides domestic and international air cargo transportation and logistics services. As of May 2013, the Yangtze River Express fleet consists of 19 aircraft, including 15 Boeing 737 freighters, three 747-400 Freighters and one A330-200 freighter. Yangtze River has 40 domestic and international routes and more than 800 staff, while operating more than 200 flights weekly. By 2015, Yangtze River Express plans to operate 30 aircraft, expanding capacity and developing its route structure significantly. Yangtze River Express will gradually establish a worldwide service network, covering Shanghai and other major China cities, connecting the European and Asian continents.
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. Boeing Shanghai successfully completed its first 737 Classic passenger-to-freighter conversion for Kenya Airways in March and the second such conversion is targeted for completion in June.
