Boeing and Evergreen International Airlines, a subsidiary of Evergreen International Aviation, have jointly announced the airline will introduce the 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter to its fleet with delivery to Evergreen in 2012.

The conversion will be the 50th 747-400 jetliner to be modified to a freighter configuration by Boeing, which provides overall management of the conversion, including engineering and materials.

Boeing contracts with Taikoo Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China, for the modification work.

“This new Boeing 747-400BCF will provide a new dimension for our operations,” said Evergreen International Airlines President Blair Berselli. 

“The airplane will bring improvements in economics, efficiency and environmental performance and, since Boeing is responsible for the modification, we know that the airplane will receive the superior support that we have come to expect from Boeing.”

Evergreen International Airlines, based in McMinnville, Ore., currently operates 10 747s, including one 747-400 Freighter and nine 747-200 Freighters.

“The 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter provides efficiency and reliability that will enable Evergreen International Airlines to profitably grow its business,” said Dan da Silva, vice president of freighter conversions for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services.

“Reaching the 50 conversion milestone shows that air cargo industry recognizes the value of the 747-400BCF.”

Modifications to the airplane include a side cargo door addition, a new, strengthened main-deck floor, full main-deck lining installation, provisions for a new cargo handling system and complete revisions to the airplane systems.

The 747-400BCF has positions for 30 pallets on the main deck - volume which is comparable to the 747-400 production freighter..

The 747-400BCF program was launched in 2004 and the first delivery took place in 2005.

Evergreen International Airlines is recognized as a world leader in air freight, providing air cargo transportation and charter services for major airlines, freight forwarders and the US government.

In additional, Evergreen is well-known for its Boeing 747 Supertanker, a converted 747-100, which can carry 20,000 gallons of water, retardant or other fire agents and is deployed around the world for firefighting missions.