Why Boeing 777 Freighter Conversions Are A Stopgap Built On A Shrinking Supply Of Used Jets

The Boeing 777 is helping the global air cargo industry address a growing shortage of large freighters, but the aircraft providing that additional capacity are becoming very difficult to find. As passenger airlines retain their widebody jets for longer and new-build freighters face production and delivery constraints, three conversion programs are competing to turn used 777s into dedicated cargo aircraft. The irony is that the industry's immediate solution depends on an aging aircraft supply that cannot be replenished indefinitely.