Boeing has finalised a deal with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, the parent company of US-based Atlas Air, to convert nine 767 passenger aircraft into freighter aircraft.

Four of the nine orders were previously announced in July.

The aircraft will be converted under Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) programme, which renovates passenger airplanes into freighters and helps extent the economic life of the aircraft.

Currently, Atlas Air Worldwide, which provides outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services, operates an all-Boeing fleet, which includes 747, 777, 767, 757 and 737 freighter aircraft.

Boeing Commercial Aviation Services sales and marketing vice president Rick Anderson said: "We look forward to supporting Atlas with our Boeing Converted Freighters as they expand their freighter operations.

"With more than 40 years of experience in passenger-to-freighter conversions, Boeing has a deep understanding of the needs of the air cargo industry.

"Our freighter conversion programme not only provides customers with world-class Boeing platforms, we also offer global support and the assurance of a Boeing-backed programme."

“Our freighter conversion programme not only provides customers with world-class Boeing platforms, we also offer global support and the assurance of a Boeing-backed programme."

The company has forecasted that the aviation sector would require 400 widebody conversions over the next two decades, with high demand for 767 freighter conversions due to a rise in e-commerce.

Recently, Boeing won an order, valued at $11.7bn at list prices, for 30 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 777-300ER aircraft from Qatar Airways.


Image: A Boeing 767 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.