en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mammoth Freighters has announced the selection of Shandong Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. (STAECO) to establish a Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion base in Qingdao, China, with the agreement signed on July 15, 2026. This marks Mammoth's first Boeing 777 conversion site in the Asia-Pacific region, expanding its global footprint beyond Fort Worth, Texas, USA, and Manchester, UK. The first conversion line in Qingdao is scheduled to commence operations in September 2026, with a second line expected to launch in early 2027. The first aircraft to enter the facility is a Boeing 777-200LR owned by Jetran, with conversion work anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026. This move aims to position Mammoth closer to the Chinese and Asia-Pacific aviation markets, increasing widebody freighter conversion capacity for airlines, lessors, and cargo operators.

This expansion follows Mammoth's transition from an engineering development project to a commercial conversion solution. In April 2026, Mammoth Freighters received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Boeing 777-200LRMF (Long-Range Mammoth Freighter) conversion program, confirming that the design meets FAA airworthiness requirements and allowing commercial operations. The first two converted Boeing 777-200LRMF aircraft are expected to enter service in the fall of 2026, with one delivered to Qatar Airways Cargo and the other to DHL.

Mammoth selected STAECO based on its experience in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) as well as large-scale aircraft conversions. STAECO has completed over 100 Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversions. The Qingdao project will also benefit from Boeing 777 expertise within the HAECO Group ecosystem, including HAECO Xiamen, to support the development of Boeing 777 conversion capabilities for customers in China and Asia.

Mammoth's entry into China is not the first overseas Boeing 777 conversion program. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), through its Bedek Aviation Group, established an early presence in the Middle East in August 2021 by partnering with Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi, UAE, planning two Boeing 777-300ER conversion lines capable of handling multiple aircraft annually. Both IAI/Bedek and Mammoth have developed solutions based on their respective engineering designs and FAA-approved STCs, but targeting different models and market needs. IAI/Bedek focuses on the Boeing 777-300ERSF, emphasizing maximum cargo capacity and high-density operations; Mammoth's Boeing 777-200LRMF prioritizes range and network flexibility to meet long-haul cargo demands. The two aircraft types complement each other in the widebody freighter market. In terms of conversion base availability, over 800 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft have been delivered globally, while only about 60 Boeing 777-200LR passenger aircraft exist. Mammoth may develop Boeing 777-300ER conversion capabilities in the future, but this capability is not yet FAA-certified.

China is considered one of the primary markets for Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter conversions. Over the next 10 to 15 years, many Boeing 777-200 and 777-300ER aircraft operated by passenger airlines are expected to become conversion candidates. Chinese airlines operate one of the largest fleets of Boeing 777 passenger aircraft globally, providing a reservoir for conversions. The Boeing 777 remains attractive due to its long-range capability, large fuselage capacity, operational reliability, global aircraft availability, and established global maintenance infrastructure. By establishing capabilities in Qingdao, Mammoth is positioning itself close to a major source of Boeing 777 conversion candidates.

The widebody conversion market is expanding from traditional Western locations to regions with concentrated aircraft fleets and cargo demand. IAI/Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi has gained a strategic advantage through early entry and a focus on the Boeing 777-300ERSF niche. Mammoth/STAECO in Qingdao benefits from proximity to the Chinese aviation market, access to Asian airlines and lessors, and STAECO's conversion experience supporting its newly certified 777-200LRMF program. As more Boeing 777 passenger aircraft become available for conversion, Abu Dhabi and Qingdao are poised to become key components of the future global freighter supply chain.