News / Outlook for large widebodies looks chilly in a hot freighter conversion market

Conversion lines, turning passenger aircraft into cargo planes, are at full throttle – from 737s to 767-300ERs. However, the larger end of the spectrum poses a conundrum for owners, with question marks over 777 conversions and no replacement for the 747 in sight.

The clamour for freighter capacity since last spring has brought retired cargo planes out of storage and fuelled conversion activity.

According to aviation consultancy IBA, between last May and February, 61 aircraft have joined the global freighter fleet in ...