The first passenger-to-freighter aircraft from United States-based Mammoth Freighters arrived at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on Oct 15, marking the start of substantive operations for Asia's first Boeing 777-200LR conversion line. The move represents a key step for Qingdao's aviation maintenance industry into high-end widebody aircraft conversion.

Backed by the Qingdao Jiaodong Airport Economic Demonstration Zone and Qingdao International Airport Group, Mammoth Freighters and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co Ltd have jointly established the conversion line. Qingdao is now the third global and only Asia-Pacific hub for Boeing 777 conversions, integrating into Mammoth's global production network.

In April, Mammoth's 777-200LRMF conversion solution received a Supplemental Type Certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration — the world's first officially approved 777-200LR conversion design. The aircraft entered China under a "repair item" customs supervision model and will undergo approximately 200 days of conversion at the Shandong Airlines hangar, involving structural reinforcement, cargo door cutting, and fire protection system modifications. Once complete, it will enter commercial service as a Boeing 777-200LRMF freighter.

By taking the lead in localized widebody freighter conversion, the project gives air cargo operators new capacity options. It also bolsters Shandong's three-year aviation maintenance plan and supports national policies on bonded maintenance.

According to plans, Mammoth will establish two conversion lines in Qingdao, with the second expected to be operational by 2027.

Since Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport relocated five years ago, the airport economic zone has attracted 89 major projects, including COSCO Shipping Air and China Post, with foreign trade in the airport comprehensive bonded zone growing at an average annual rate of 78 percent.

The first Boeing 777-200LR passenger-to-freighter aircraft arrives at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, marking the launch of Asia's first 777 conversion line. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]