Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) saw its conversion deliveries continue to decline last year following the Covid-related boom years and is expecting another slowdown this year.
The Miami-based conversion firm delivered a total of 28 converted freighters last year compared with 41 in 2022.
The figure is still just up on the 27 aircraft it delivered in 2021 and far above the 10 delivered in pre-Covid 2019.
AEI delivered 18 Boeing 737-800SF freighters, followed by five Boeing 737-400SF freighters, two MD-80SF series freighters, and three CRJ200 SF freighters.
The company also celebrated its 600th overall freighter conversion delivery in August.
However, looking ahead, the company is expecting a further slowdown in demand this year as the narrowbody market works through the large amount of deliveries in recent years and a slowdown in air cargo demand.
“AEI had a solid year in 2023, yet we also understand that the narrowbody freighter market became overbuilt during the pandemic era,” said Robert Convey, AEI senior vice president of sales & marketing.
“We have been predicting and planning for a moderation in the market over the next 12 months or so to accommodate current demand.”
AEI again expects the 737-800SF to represent the majority of deliveries in 2024, but the total quantities of deliveries will be slightly below 2023 figures.
The company has stated that it will use this predicted slowdown as an opportunity to complete studies on potentially introducing new AEI freighter programmes for the 737-900 and the CRJ 900.
https://www.aircargonews.net/monthly-exclusive/freighter-conversion-market-turned-on-its-head/
https://www.aircargonews.net/services/freighter-conversions-mro/aei-to-carry-out-boeing-737-freighter-conversions-for-air-inuit/
