A small U.S. airline said it has amassed a big fleet of
Boeing Co.
777 jets that it plans to convert to freighters, targeting the rapid growth in e-commerce-driven shipping.
Eastern Airlines LLC said it has bought 35 of the wide-body passenger planes being off-loaded by other carriers, including ones similar to the
jets grounded after an engine incident near Denver.
An air-cargo boom has triggered orders for dozens of new jets and filled hangars that convert passenger aircraft to freighters, installing large doors and strengthening floors to carry heavier loads such as machine parts and animals.
Privately held Eastern said it plans to just remove passenger seats and carry packages on the main deck alongside regular cargo in the hold, cutting the conversion time to two weeks at a fraction of the cost of a full aircraft revamp.
Airlines have parked or sold dozens of large jets because of the collapse in international air travel, with Asia particularly hard hit. Eastern said it has taken delivery of 10 of the Boeing jets, with the other 25 due to arrive over the next three months, all from three unnamed Asian carriers.
Steve Harfst,
Eastern’s chief executive, said it pivoted to the 777 from the smaller Boeing 767 jet it already uses for passenger services. The 767, converted from passenger use, is more widely used by cargo…