Boeing
announced today it has selected Singapore Technologies Aerospace's (ST
Aero) subsidiary, ST Aviation Services Co (SASCO), to modify 13 MD-11
passenger airplanes into freighters. In addition to the freighter
conversions, UPS also has chosen Singapore-based SASCO to perform
concurrent maintenance work on the airplanes.
In November 2000, UPS announced it would acquire 13 MD-11 freighters
from Boeing. The agreement between Boeing and UPS also includes options
for 22 additional MD-11s. Under the agreement Boeing will obtain the
airplanes and convert them from passenger airplanes to freighters.
"We are delighted to work with ST Aero on the modification of these
airplanes for UPS," said Bob Avery, president of Boeing Airplane
Services. "They have done outstanding work for us on many programs,
including the 757 Special Freighter program and the DC-10 conversion
program."
ST Aero is a member of Boeing Airplane Services' international network
of modification and engineering facilities. SASCO completed its first
DC-10 freighter conversion in October 2000, making it the first DC-10
conversion program completed in Southeast Asia. While this will be
SASCO's first MD-11 conversion, they have completed numerous maintenance
programs on MD-11 airplanes.
"ST Aero is pleased to have been selected by Boeing to undertake the
conversion program in addition to the successful modification programs
for the DC-10 and 757 Special Freighter, " said Tay Kok Khiang, deputy
president and chief operating officer of ST Aero. "We also are honored
to have been selected by UPS for the maintenance work, and we will
strive towards bringing greater value to our customers."
An MD-11 Freighter is capable of carrying approximately 190,000 pounds
(86,168 kg) of revenue payload with a range of 3,800 nautical miles
(7,038 km).
Modification work is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2001 and
continue to 2004. Passenger-to-freighter modification involves primarily
the removal of the passenger furnishings, installation of a main deck
cargo door and cargo handling system.
UPS also is working directly with SASCO to perform transitional
maintenance on the MD-11 aircraft. The maintenance work will encompass
aircraft overhaul; systems upgrade; structural inspection; corrosion
prevention and control program; and strip and repaint of the aircraft.
Modification and maintenance are scheduled to take about three to four
months to complete.
"We look forward to working with Boeing and SASCO on the conversion of
these aircraft," said Bob Lekites, vice president, UPS Airlines
Operations. "We feel confident that the modifications and maintenance
performed by SASCO will provide a smooth transition for these planes
into the UPS fleet."
Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aero), the aerospace arm of
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engg), specializes in
maintenance and engineering services for commercial and military
aircraft. Through its international network, ST Aero provides total
support on a wide range of high-quality, reliable and timely
maintenance, repair and overhaul services on airframe, engine and
component. ST Aero also provides high value-added design engineering and
modification work including passenger-to-freighter conversion, avionics
upgrade and other life-cycle extension programs. ST Engg is a
technology-based, multi-national conglomerate providing one-stop
integrated engineering services for the aerospace, electronics, land
systems and marine industries. Through its worldwide subsidiaries and
representative offices, ST Engg provides innovative and customized
turnkey solutions to commercial and military customers.
Boeing Airplane Services provides a full range of total service
solutions for the world's passenger and cargo airlines. Offerings
include engineering retrofit packages, avionics upgrades, in-flight
entertainment systems integration, cabin management solutions,
passenger-to-freighter conversions, recovery and repair services, and
aircraft performance improvements for Boeing commercial aircraft. Boeing
Airplane Services is a unit of the Boeing Commercial Aviation Services
organization and, as part of The Boeing Company, has access to all the
experience and technical capabilities of the world's largest aerospace
company. More than 11,000 Boeing aircraft are in operation today around
the world.
Serving more than 200 countries and territories, UPS is the world's
largest express carrier and largest package delivery company. With 238
owned jet aircraft, UPS Airlines is the 9th largest airline in North
America and the 11th largest airline in the world. Headquartered in
Atlanta, Ga.. UPS has been recognized by Fortune magazine for the past
three consecutive years as the World's Most Admired mail and package
delivery company. |