News / 'Gold rush' is over – passenger surge stifles air freighter conversion feedstock

Hit by a perfect storm, freighter conversions have slowed from frantic activity to reducing conversion lines.

Orders are down, while feedstock is scant and expensive as rampant demand for passenger planes hoovers-up available aircraft.

Narrowbody conversion specialist Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) has secured orders from two clients for four B737-800 reconfigurations in the past two days, but overall, business has slowed significantly, reported Bob Convey, VP of sales and marketing.

He reckons the company will complete 25 conversions this year – last year it ...