The costs of preparing a 747-400SF freighter for service, Issue 60 Oct/Nov 2008

The total cost of preparing a 747-400 freighter for service includes the cost of acquiring a suitable used passenger aircraft, cost of one of several passenger-to-freighter conversion programmes, and additional maintenance. The issue of selecting a suitable aircraft for modification and the supply & market values of 747-400s, the specifications and costs of the available passenger-to-freighter modification programmes, and the costs of additional maintenance required to make the aircraft serviceable are examined. Market lease rates for 747-400 freighters are also considered in relation to these total costs.