Mammoth Freighters has selected STAECO as its newest MRO partner to establish Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion capability in Qingdao, China, strengthening its global conversion network and expanding support for the fast-growing air cargo market across the Asia-Pacific region.
The new conversion line, scheduled to commence operations in September 2026, will be located at STAECO’s newly developed facility at Qingdao Airport. The expansion complements Mammoth’s existing Boeing 777 freighter conversion lines at Aspire MRO in Fort Worth, Texas, and STS Aviation Services UK in Manchester, England. Mammoth will initially operate one widebody hangar with two conversion bays at the Qingdao facility, with a second production line expected to become operational in early 2027.
The first aircraft to undergo conversion at the facility will be a Boeing 777-200LR, owned by Jetran, with induction planned later this year.
The expansion follows the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of Mammoth’s 777-200LR Mammoth Freighter (777-200LRMF) in April 2026, clearing the aircraft for commercial operations. The first two converted aircraft are expected to enter service this fall with Qatar Airways and DHL, marking an important milestone for the company’s widebody freighter programme.
Commenting on the partnership, Jens Steinhagen, Senior Vice President of Program Management at Mammoth Freighters, said the move reflects the company’s strategy of providing regional conversion capacity closer to its customers.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with STAECO to bring Mammoth’s 777 freighter conversion program to China and the broader Asia-Pacific cargo market. This agreement reflects Mammoth’s commitment to providing operators with convenient, in-region conversion capability through a veteran conversion MRO,” he said.
Kevin Casey, President of Jetran and Spectre Air Capital, highlighted STAECO’s long-standing expertise in freighter modifications.
“As potential partners were evaluated, STAECO’s proven track record, technical expertise and extensive experience made them the clear choice. Over the past 22 years, we have developed a trust and confidence in the STAECO team. We have every reason to anticipate this Boeing 777 freighter conversion programme to be every bit as successful and mutually rewarding for us and our customers,” Casey said.
STAECO brings extensive conversion experience to the programme, having completed more than 100 Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversions. The company will also receive technical and engineering support from HAECO Xiamen, which will provide Boeing 777 programme expertise and personnel during the start-up phase.
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Huang Enfang, Chairman of STAECO, said the collaboration will strengthen widebody freighter conversion capabilities in one of the world’s fastest-growing cargo markets.
“This partnership brings together Mammoth’s innovative freighter solution, STAECO’s established conversion capabilities and HAECO’s deep Boeing 777 engineering and maintenance expertise. Together, we are creating a world-class platform to serve the evolving needs of cargo operators throughout Asia-Pacific and beyond,” he said.
Under the agreement, STAECO will perform Mammoth’s proprietary 777-200LRMF and 777-300ERMF passenger-to-freighter conversions at its Qingdao facility, supporting airlines and cargo operators across China, the Asia-Pacific region and international markets requiring long-haul freighter capacity.
Following certification of the 777-300ERMF, Mammoth also plans to begin Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) validation, paving the way for the aircraft’s entry into service with Chinese operators.
The partnership marks another significant development for the global passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion market, where demand for widebody cargo aircraft continues to rise alongside the rapid growth of e-commerce and international freight traffic. For the MRO industry, the addition of a dedicated Boeing 777 conversion line in Qingdao further strengthens Asia-Pacific’s position as a major hub for aircraft modifications, supporting airlines with regional conversion capacity, reduced ferry costs and enhanced technical support for next-generation freighter fleets.
