Boeing

The Boeing Company today announced Aeronavali of Italy has selected Boeing Airplane Services' Modification Center to modify one DC-10-30 airplane from passenger to freighter configuration.

The airplane is scheduled to arrive in Wichita in early November 1999 and deliver to Brussels-based Skyjet in early March 2000. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The DC-10 cargo conversion process is similar to the work the center performs on 747s, in which a new cargo door surround structure, a 9-G cargo net, cargo door and freighter systems are installed.

"We're extremely pleased that Aeronavali has recognized The Boeing Company's airplane modification expertise by awarding this work to us," said Vic McMullen, Boeing Wichita Modification Center director.

"Whether it's a 747 or a DC-10, we have the ability to reconfigure any Boeing airplane."

"We are very proud to have Boeing Airplane Services convert this DC-10-30 to freighter configuration," said Pompeo Sorice, Aeronavali Chief Executive Officer. "We are sure that this agreement will further strengthen the relationship between Boeing and Aeronavali, in particular on the modification programs which represent our core business in the strategy of the company."

Founded in 1947, Aeronavali, which is a Finmeccanica Company coordinated by Alenia Aerospazio, is part of the Boeing Airplane Services' international network of modification and engineering facilities. Located in Venice and Naples, Italy, the company has been a key partner to Boeing and has modified heritage McDonnell Douglas and Boeing airplanes.

The airplane to be modified by Boeing Wichita will re-enter service with Skyjet France, a newly formed company located in Lille, France. Skyjet operates a fleet of DC-10 airplanes.

The Boeing Wichita Modification Center, a part of Boeing Airplane Services, has modified more than 90 Boeing 747 airplanes to freighter configuration since 1972, including the NASA shuttle carrier aircraft. The center also completed two DC-10 passenger-to-freighter modifications in 1999.

Other modifications Boeing has developed to enhance airplane performance and productivity include major maintenance and interior reconfiguration programs, and structural retrofits, such as stretching a 747 upper deck.

Boeing Airplane Services also offers engineering retrofit packages, avionics/flight deck improvements, recovery and repair services, and in-flight entertainment integration. Other services include technical consulting and general contracting support for passenger and cargo airlines.