Boeing beefs up business to convert old 737 passenger planes into cargo jets

Boeing is adding capacity to convert old 737 passenger planes into cargo haulers, a bet on continued growth in e-commerce. The Chicago-based company said Wednesday it will add two production lines to convert Boeing 737-800s into freighters that will be operated by Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales, which is located in a free-trade zone near Costa Rica’s capital, allowing for the duty-free importation of parts. Converted 737 freighters have become more popular and won orders from Amazon as the e-commerce giant adds to the fleets of airlines that fly for its Amazon Air arm. Boeing already converts 737-800s into freighters in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Jinan, China.<br/>