GMR-Boeing tie-up for passenger-to-freighter conversions

The GMR group has signed a formal agreement with Boeing to create a freighter conversion ecosystem in Hyderabad. It could well be another massive boost for Make in India which requires trained engineers and technicians. This collaboration could provide that. A special report.

Around a decade ago, Boeing's 40 years plus extensive experience in passenger-to-freighter conversions began anew in India when they constructed an aircraft maintenance unit in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This was part of an agreement in which Air India had committed to purchasing approximately 72 planes from Boeing for $8 billion. The state-of-the-art facility, constructed with an investment of roughly $170 million, features two massive hangars capable of accommodating up to six Boeing 737s for maintenance.

Nonetheless, Boeing soon realised that the maintenance unit would not be cost-effective unless it attracted international clients. The planes of Air India alone would not suffice to generate revenue. Despite the agreement explicitly stating that Boeing was responsible for establishing the necessary infrastructure for Air India to maintain and operate their planes, the aircraft manufacturer opted to let the Indian airline manage the Nagpur facility.

Industry watchers and experts have explained that without capital and other support, Air India was still able to get heavy aircraft maintenance checks done at this facility. However, if there was more support, maybe Boeing would have started the conversion of passenger planes to freighters at Nagpur long back.

But that was then. Boeing has come a long way in the country since that time and has taken many new strides. The aircraft manufacturer recently started a new chapter by partnering with GMR Aero Technic to establish a new Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) line in Hyderabad. GMR Aero Technic is the first Boeing supplier in India that will have the capability to support future conversions of both domestic and foreign aircraft.

GMR group's facility in Hyderabad will become the fourth Boeing-approved facility globally after China, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom.