Mammoth Freighters, a leader in passenger-to-freight aircraft conversions, has announced that it has obtained supplemental type certificate (STC) approval from the FAA for its Boeing 777-200LRMF modification. The certification allows the company to deliver converted freighters with a payload capacity of 231,000 pounds and a range of 4,800 nautical miles.
The first aircraft to be delivered under this approval is expected to go to Qatar Airways Cargo through leasing arrangements with Jetran. Mammoth has also received orders for this conversion from DHL and Ethiopian Airlines. The company is preparing to start certification testing for a similar program based on the Boeing 777-300ER, aiming to convert most of the remaining 61 777-200LRs Boeing produced, with the last passenger version delivered in 2021.
Supply and Industry Challenges
Industry analysts highlight that the supply of suitable aircraft for conversion remains a challenge due to delays in the production of Boeing’s 777-9, the successor to the 777-300ER. The broader aircraft industry has experienced a significant slump in widebody deliveries post-pandemic, with figures falling below 150 units in 2020 and 2021. A recovery to around 200 aircraft annually is projected for 2026, with hopes to surpass 300 by 2028, though issues of resource competition pose risks.
Conversion activities are currently ongoing at Aspire MRO in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as at STS Aviation Services in Manchester, England. Despite a backlog of approximately 35 conversions, the industry faces ongoing supply constraints that could impact future expansion and availability of conversion-ready aircraft.
Overall, Mammoth’s recent certification marks a significant step forward in aircraft retrofitting for the cargo market, aligning with industry trends toward increased freight capacity and the ongoing adaptation of passenger aircraft for freight purposes.
