Boeing adds additional B737-800BCF conversion capacity

Seeing a surge in worldwide express and e-commerce sales, Boeing is anticpating an increase in demand for the B737-800BCF. To be able to handle this demand, the manufacturer has decided to expand its conversion capacity by signing an agreement with Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The MRO is set to open its conversion-line for the B737-800 in early 2022.

The line in Costa Rica will be the fourth B737-800 conversion-facility, the other three being done in China at Guangzhou (GAMECO), Jinan (Taikoo Aircraft Engineering) and Shanghai-Pudong (Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services). So far, Boeing has noted down orders for more than 180 B737-800BCFs and delivered more than 50 since the first conversion in 2018.

Next to Boeing, several other companies are offering B737NG conversions: IAI (B737-700BDSF and -800BDSF), AEI (B737-800SF) and PEMCO (B737-700F and -700FC)

Illustration by Boeing.