Conversion after Pandemic

As we begin to recover pandemic effects on supply chain, there are still risks of dramatic shifts in supply and demand. In order to adapt to the fluctuations, air cargo transportation will increase the market share against land and sea transportation. As a result, demand on freighter aircraft will increase. Current cargo operators will increase their profit without exception but the operators who cannot extend their fleet, will not increase their market share. Considering long time period of cargo conversions, air cargo operators shall begin to revise their fleet plans for 2023.

Supply of cargo aircraft to market have some differences than passenger aircraft and challenges. The difference is mostly the air freighters are not manufactured directly as cargo. Passenger aircraft are modified to cargo aircraft. Therefore, when a fleet extension decision is taken, minimum 1 year will be required. Cargo Operators need to evaluate their market and plans in advance in order to be ready when the demand is raised. The other difference is the type selection of cargo aircraft. Maximum cargo capacity, loading procedures and capabilities of targeted airports will be main drivers on top of range selection.

Challenges of cargo conversion can be evaluated in three sections; Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), Material supply and maintenance organization (MRO). STC selection is not a simple cost comparison. Previous STC’s of STC holder shall be evaluated such as if they have any AD or if they any operational stoppage. Engineering support of the STC holder during conversion is also another key of the selection criterion. STC selection shall be performed by experienced teams in order not to face unrecoverable problems during conversion or operation. It should be kept in mind that STC will directly affect the value of the aircraft.

Secondly, Material supply before or during the conversion shall be managed very carefully. Delivering the parts on time is important. Thinking outside of the box for urgent cases and creating solutions for the required material will be vital during the project. Material supply is not an item to be outsourced to STC holder or MRO only. Material supply shall be managed, at least followed by the project management.

MRO selection is another milestone on the way to the successful (in budget and on time) conversion. Highly experienced MRO’s are not so flexible and flexible MRO’s are not capable to perform such an important modification. MRO’s experience, willingness and flexibility shall be defined and evaluated as much as modification cost and location. Moreover, capabilities of the MRO regarding repairs shall be supported with back shops. Back shops shall be ready for considerable amount of machining during the project.

Teams overcome the challenges mentioned above will be ready to increase the market share. As a common mistake, cargo operators try to handle such conversions by their CAMO team, but keep in mind that the realized risks will return as delay on entry into services.