Did you know that many cargo aircraft start life as passenger aircraft? Presently, Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, Airbus A321, A330, and MD-80s can be converted from "Passenger to Freighter" or (P2F). Soon, the A320 and B-777 will also join the list as new STCs are being developed. This is nothing new of course - 727s, DC-8s, DC-9s, DC-10s, and MD-11s have been converted for years. It's a great way to "recycle" aging airframes and engines and give new life and value to aircraft that still have years left in them.
The Air-Cargo market has remained hot throughout COVID, and many airlines used make-shift "Cabin Freighters" to continue to supplement their bottom line during the tough times from 2020 to 2022. LATAM Cargo, a subsidiary of the LATAM Airline Group is a dedicated all-cargo airline operating the Boeing 767-300-BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter). LATAM (Lan Chile and TAM) operated passenger 767-300ERs for many years, and as they retire them from passenger service, they send them over to Singapore to be converted to full freighters. In doing so, they utilize the expert-services of Steve Giordano and his team at the Nomadic Aviation Group to bring the empty aircraft from the United States to Singapore where the conversions take place over a 3-4 month period.
The Cargo Conversion series follows the journey of a pair of such aircraft: CC-CXE and CC-CXD as they are ferried to Singapore via Anchorage, and then later returned to Miami via Honolulu. In Part One, you'll ride with Steve, Chris, and Tom as they fly these sister ships over to Singapore.