The costs of preparing narrowbody freighters for service, Issue 57 April/May 2008

The replacement of older narrowbody freighters is now overdue and ever-more important with continually rising fuel costs. Freight carriers have the choice of the 737-300, 737-400, A320, A321 & 757-200, as well as several passenger-to-freighter conversion programmes for most of these types. What payloads does each programme provide for each aircraft type, and what is the cost of converting aircraft? In addition, what are the likely costs of acquiring feedstock aircraft and performing the necessary maintenance to prepare them for service?