Boeing has confirmed plans to add a second passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversion line for Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft at its facility at London Gatwick Airport.
The aircraft manufacturer confirmed the news Friday (July 15) and says the line will commence converting aircraft in November at the 160,000 ft.2 facility, located around 30 mi. south of London.
Boeing opened its Gatwick facility in late 2019, originally to support Boeing's fleet care program Goldcare, which the company sunsetted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, its Boeing Global Services division operates the hangar with offerings for aircraft base maintenance services up to C–check level, line maintenance, lease transitions and modifications work on 737NG and MAX, 777 and 787 aircraft.
Citing growth in the segment, the OEM announced plans to introduce its first 737 PTF conversion line in October last year. The operation commenced in May 2022 with the first conversion underway at the site for Icelandic-based lessor Icelease.
“For many customers the BCF emerged at a critical juncture—the global shift to e-commerce models coupled with the necessity for new supply chain options,” says Kate Schaefer, vice president converted freighters, modifications, engineering services and specialty products at Boeing, in a statement released today.
Schaefer says the second Gatwick conversion line is being set up to service customer demand for converted aircraft. Currently, Boeing operates around 15 lines globally through in-house PTF facilities and through a network of partners.
