Thai Airways, KMC Look To Establish 777 Freighter Conversion Venture

Thai Airways has moved to gain Boeing 777-300ER passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion capability after agreeing to establish a local joint venture with Kansas Modification Center (KMC).

KMC’s in-development B777-300ERCF differs to IAI’s established B777-300ERSF conversion program as KMC is placing the cargo door in front of the wing rather than aft. Wichita-based KMC says its design requires less structural reinforcement which results in a lighter, more fuel-efficient freighter and also allows for more handling space inside and outside the aircraft.

KMC and Thai Airways have signed a memorandum of understanding which, if firmed, would see conversions take place at the airline’s facilities at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport and potentially also at U-Tapao Airport in Eastern Thailand. Thai Airways would be the first in Southeast Asia to gain 777-300ER conversion capability.

Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri says the agreement allows for the development of “rare and specialized” aircraft conversion skills, opening up new business opportunities for the company.

“It will generate income across various segments of the aviation maintenance value chain—from upstream component manufacturing to downstream aircraft modification,” Eamsiri says.

Within Asia, IAI has a B777-300ERSF conversion location at Seoul Incheon International Airport.

A typical load for KMC’s B777-300ERCF includes 33 Code A ULD, or 13 Code G ULD and seven Code M pallets.

The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database indicates there are 72 777-300ERs within Asia Pacific that are aged between 15-22 years old that are potential conversion candidates.