Asia's First Boeing 777 Passenger-to-Freighter Conversion Line Goes into Operation in Qingdao

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 15, the first Boeing 777-200LR passenger aircraft to be converted by Mammoth Freighters of the United States arrived at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in China, marking the start of actual conversion operations on Asia's first production line for this aircraft type's passenger-to-freighter conversion. The aircraft will be converted by Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd., with an estimated turnaround time of approximately 200 days. Upon completion, it will be converted into a Boeing 777-200LRMF freighter and put into commercial operation. The aircraft entering the facility bears registration number N60VL and manufacturer serial number 39254, and is owned by Jetran, a U.S. aircraft leasing company.

The aircraft entered China under the customs supervision model of "goods for repair," and was released with a guarantee after review by Qingdao Jiaodong Airport Customs, before entering the Shandong Airlines hangar at the airport for conversion. The main works include fuselage structural reinforcement, main cargo door cutting and installation, and fire protection system adjustments. The converted aircraft will adopt the 777-200LRMF freighter technical solution developed by Mammoth Freighters.

On July 15, 2026, Mammoth Freighters officially announced the selection of Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. as its passenger-to-freighter conversion partner in China. The two parties will carry out conversion operations using the widebody aircraft hangar at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, which is configured with two widebody aircraft positions. Taikoo (Shandong) has previously completed more than 100 Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversion projects. Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. will provide relevant technical and professional personnel support for this 777 conversion project.

In terms of airworthiness certification, the Boeing 777-200LRMF conversion solution developed by Mammoth Freighters received a Supplemental Type Certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in April 2026, authorizing it for commercial operation. The company is also developing a Boeing 777-300ERMF conversion solution and plans to apply to the Civil Aviation Administration of China for recognition of the relevant Supplemental Type Certificate after obtaining U.S. airworthiness certification, in order to meet the operational needs of this aircraft type in the Chinese market in the future.

According to the production line plan, Mammoth Freighters will build two Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter conversion lines in Qingdao, with the second expected to go into operation in early 2027. Its global conversion network is planned to have up to nine production lines, located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States; Manchester, United Kingdom; and Qingdao, China, with five planned in the United States, two in the United Kingdom, and two in China.