Following the signing of a customer order for the 737-800 converted freighter at the Dubai Airshow this week, Boeing is to add a passenger to converted freighter line for the aircraft program at its facility at London Gatwick Airport.
The first freighter conversion will be for launch customer Icelease. Earlier this week, the Iceland-based lessor placed an order for 11 737-800 BCF aircraft at the Dubai Airshow.
The introduction of BCF services adds a new service offering at the UK’s second busiest airport. Boeing announced plans for the hangar in November 2016 as part of a £100 million ($134.5 million) investment and the site became operational in December 2019. Its services include a series of lighter checks to heavy maintenance activities.
“This new work for London Gatwick not only is a result of the cargo demand we’re seeing worldwide, but also because of the aviation industry’s valued position in the United Kingdom,” said Sir Martin Donnelly, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing in the UK and Ireland.
Upon opening, the conversion line will increase staff numbers at the MRO facility to 130. It will operate near Boeing’s Gatwick training campus, where an additional 100 people work. Overall, the aircraft manufacturer has around 2,600 employees in the UK at sites including Gatwick, Gosport, Sheffield and Lossiemouth.
In its annual industry outlook, Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years to meet demand. It predicts that 1,200 aircraft will be standard-body conversions, with nearly 20% of that demand emanating from European carriers.
To date, Boeing says it has more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers for the 737-800 BCF program.
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