Evergreen receives first B747-400 converted freighter from Xiamen's TAECO

EVERGREEN International Airlines has taken delivery of its first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), the 40th passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversion by Xiamen's Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Company (TAECO), a unit of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO).

Modifications made to the aircraft are done at TAECO's plant under contract with the aircraft manufacturer, while Boeing manages the overall conversion, including engineering and materials. Passenger aircraft converted to freight carriage are regarded as a comparatively inexpensive option for cargo carriers.

Alterations made to the aircraft include adding a side cargo door, a new, strengthened main-deck floor, full main-deck lining installation, provisions for a new cargo handling system, and complete revisions of the aircraft's systems.

The converted freighter is Boeing's fiftieth 747-400 to be delivered to date. This includes ten conversions that were completed by customers using kits provided by Boeing. All the 747-400BCF deliveries have been completed on or ahead of scheduled commitments to customer airlines, according to Boeing's conversion vice president Dan da Silva.

"This is a milestone that few other large freighter conversion programmes have attained," he said.