Orders for conversions dominate air freight business at Paris Air Show

The Paris Air Show, a sweltering affair by all accounts (in direct contrast to last year’s flooded and soggy Farnborough) has come to a close, with Boeing and narrowbodies declared the winners as the 737 MAX took most of the glory. Airlines noted that there was already sufficient widebody capacity and the usual numerous orders failed to arrive from the now-challenged Gulf carriers. In cargo, DHL Express ordered four passenger-to-freighter conversions of the A330-300, Ethiopian Airlines made a commitment to two 777Fs and UPS opted for three 767 conversions. Lessor Gecas, meanwhile, ordered 20 737 MAXs – and said it would convert 30 of its 737 feedstock into freighters when they start to come off lease next year. The full order list compiled by ATW is here. And if you’d like to see some of the aviation acrobatics, try here. Or for a view of the show by drone, go here.