Air China Cargo Orders 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters
SEATTLE, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air China
Cargo today announced that the carrier will add three 747-400 Boeing Converted
Freighters (BCF) to its cargo fleet.
The modification work on the three Combi airplanes will take place at
Taikoo Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China. They previously were
operated by Air China.
"We look forward to our Boeing 747-400BCFs being of the same high quality
as the factory-built freighters we operate," said Air China Cargo President
Yao Jun. "Since Boeing is responsible for the modification, we know that these
airplanes will receive the superior customer support that we have come to
expect from Boeing."
Air China Cargo currently operates eight freighters, including three
747-400 Freighters delivered new in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as two other
747-400 Freighters on lease and three 747-200 Freighters.
"The 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter provides an economical solution
for Air China Cargo to profitably grow its business," said Dan da Silva, vice
president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "Air China Cargo
recognizes, as does the world, the superior reliability, efficiency and value
of the 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter."
Modifications include a side cargo door addition, a strengthened main-deck
floor, full main-deck lining installation, provisions for a new cargo handling
system and complete revisions to the airplane systems. The 747-400BCF has
positions for 30 pallets on the main deck -- volume which is comparable to the
747-400 production freighter.
As the manufacturer, Boeing offers customers a low-risk, high-value
conversion based on its engineering and certification expertise, unsurpassed
customer support and on-time delivery. The customer receives the same world-
class customer support as new-airplane customers. High-value support packages
may be incorporated during the conversion process, including avionics and
flight-deck upgrades, customized maintenance programs and operational
improvement products and services such Airplane Health Monitoring and
Maintenance Performance Toolbox.
More than 300 747 Freighters, the standard for the global air cargo
industry, are operating today, providing about half the world's
dedicated-freighter capacity.
Air China Cargo, which was formed in late 2003, provides cargo services to
36 cities in 27 countries around the world.
Contacts:
Bob Saling, Services & Cargo, Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
+1 206-852-3327 (cell)
Wang Yukui, Boeing China, +86 10 5925 5588
Linda Lee, International & Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
+1 206-766-2905
