To meet rising demand for converted freighters, the Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) has announced it will open a third line for the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) at its Guangzhou, China facility.

“Adding a third line gives us the opportunity to implement an innovative and scalable production concept for conversions,” GAMECO general manager Norbert Marx said. “This concept will boost deliveries and improve further efficiency.”

The company did not reveal when the third line will be operational, nor the expected full annual capacity of the facility. 

Demand for freighters has increased following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which grounded many passenger aircraft and with them the cargo capacity in their belly holds. Air cargo is also an area earmarked for expansion by China to support its thriving e-commerce sector. Chinese cargo carriers are being started up and investments are being made at the provincial level in air logistics hubs.

GAMECO rolled out its first converted 737-800BCF on Nov. 9, 2020, almost five months after the program started in a door cutting ceremony on June 16. 

A second 737-800BCF line was announced in September 2020; GAMECO said that team was now receiving its first aircraft to convert.

The announcement of the third line comes amidst a busy period for GAMECO. The company signed a strategic partnership MOU with Shenzhen Airport Company on Dec. 19, 2020, which allows GAMECO to provide maintenance and ground services for Chinese and overseas airlines operating at Shenzhen Bao’an International (SZX). 

On Jan. 19, GAMECO conducted its first 12-year heavy maintenance check on a business jet—a Boeing 737 BBJ belonging to Southern Jet. GAMECO first partnered with the Chinese business jet charter airline in May 2020, providing line maintenance services for the company at Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).