MNG Technic completes first cargo conversion and looks to other types

Turkish MRO provider MNG Technic is looking to extend its cargo conversion business beyond the Airbus A300 activities that it took over from the Flight Structures, the B/E subsidiary, a year ago.

Earlier this month, MNG completed the conversion of its first A300-600 from a China Southern Airlines passenger aircraft to a freighter destined for MNG Airlines. Two further former China Southern aircraft are also marked for the Turkish carrier’s cargo division.

MNG’s modification line can accommodate one aircraft at a time. The first aircraft project included a heavy maintenance check and took about a year. However, Bilal Karaman, MNG’s executive vice-president production, said the turnaround time would be reduced to six to eight months for the two following freighters.

Apart from EADS own conversion centre in Dresden Germany, MNG is the only converter of the A300-600 and the company estimates that there could be 50 aircraft in the world fleet ready for conversion.

But it sees a future in other types. Karaman described the first conversion as the “entry model” and said MNG could transfer its skills to other aircraft types.