As more aircraft are retired from passenger service, the abundance of airframes available for conversion is seen as a cost-effective alternative to new-build examples. Nigel Pittaway explores some of the passenger-to-freighter options on the market from both the manufacturer and third-party providers

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of dedicated freighter aircraft fleets According to Boeing’s 2021 commercial market outlook (CMO), freight operators are running at capacity to fill the gap left by the loss of belly cargo normally carried on scheduled passenger rotations.