Boeing Shanghai Supports Volga Dnepr Group with 737CL Freighter Conversion
SHANGHAI, December 15, 2014 – Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd., (Boeing Shanghai) has signed a Boeing 737-400 Freighter Conversion Agreement with Russia based Volga Dnepr Group.
The 737-400 arrived at Boeing Shanghai at the end of November for the passenger-to-freighter conversion; a "C-check" - an extensive check of the airplane's systems and components that can require several days to perform; and full painting. The modification is performed under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) held by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI).
The airplane is scheduled for redelivery to Volga Dnepr Group in the first quarter of 2015. The agreement makes Volga Dnepr Group the first Boeing Shanghai customer for this type of service from the Russia/Central Asia region. Boeing Shanghai has successfully completed five B737CL Freighter conversions for two other customers.
"We are glad to start working with Boeing Shanghai and regard this as a start to our future mutual beneficial cooperation", said Denis Ilin, ABC Executive President.
“Volga Dnepr Group is a valuable customer for Boeing Shanghai to expand B737 PTF conversion business in Russia market,” said Dermot Swan, CEO of Boeing Shanghai. “We are delighted to cooperate with AEI again for this modification. We look forward to long-term relationships with Volga Dnepr Group and AEI.”
About Boeing Shanghai Boeing Shanghai is a joint venture between Boeing, Shanghai Airport Authorities and China Eastern Airlines. Boeing Shanghai is a full service MRO and offers a broad range of services from engineering, aircraft maintenance and modification to material management, and component repair and overhaul. Boeing Shanghai supports customers operating throughout the world.
About Volga-Dnepr Group Volga-Dnepr Group is a global company with 24 year expertise on the international air logistics market. The Group’s companies include three Russian cargo airlines: Volga-Dnepr Airlines, the world’s largest transporter of unique, outsize and heavyweight air cargo, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Russia’s largest international scheduled cargo airline, Atran Airlines, Russia’s only express carrier.
Volga-Dnepr Group’s ‘cargo supermarket’ offering of transportation and logistics services combines its own unique fleet of freighter aircraft, patented loading and transportation systems, the in-house expertise of its team of specialists and, when required, the use of third party partners to deliver the most cost and time efficient solution for every customer requirement, including complete project management of end-to-end cargo deliveries.
About AEI Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is a global leader in the aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversion business and is the oldest conversion company in existence today. Since the company’s founding in 1958, AEI has developed over 120 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and has modified nearly 400 aircraft with the STCs. AEI helps its customers extend aircraft life and increase the overall value of aircraft assets by continuously focusing on dependable and flexible product offerings. AEI currently offers passenger-to-freighter conversions for the Boeing 737-400, 737-300, 737-200 and MD-80 aircraft. Additionally, AEI will offer the market its new CRJ 200 freighter conversion in 2015, followed by the Boeing 737-800 full freighter and combi conversions in 2017.
