Boeing and Joramco have announced an agreement to set up a new Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) line in Amman, Jordan.

It will make Amman-based Joramco the first MRO supplier in the Middle East to support future Boeing freighter conversions of both domestic and foreign aircraft.

Fraser Currie, chief executive of Joramco, said: “We’re very excited to grow our relationship with Boeing. The new 737-800BCF capability we’re bringing to our MRO is another major milestone for Joramco, and we are delighted Boeing has selected Joramco as a future site for the 737-800BCF.

“Our geographic location in Amman, our deep MRO experience, and the opportunity to work together with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise on their customers’ requirements makes this a very exciting opportunity.”

Joramco is a subsidiary of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), which also has a leasing division with a fleet of approximately 550 aircraft leased to around 120 airlines in more than 60 countries.

Firoz Tarapore, chief executive of DAE, said: “Today’s announcement reaffirms our long-term commitment to our DAE Engineering division. Since acquiring Joramco in 2016, revenues have more than doubled, and we continue to expand our presence at our Amman, Jordan based facility, which is expected to reach 22 maintenance lines by the end of 2024.

“This latest agreement underpins our commitment, and we look forward to continuing to deepen our relationship with Boeing as well as developing new product offerings for Joramco’s global customer base.”

According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook, the global freighter fleet is expected to grow by 65 per cent to more than 3,700 in 2042.

This growth will require more than 2,800 production and converted freighter deliveries over the next two decades, including around 1,300 standard-body freighter conversions, such as the 737-800BCF.

Mike Doellefeld, Boeing commercial programmes vice president of engineering services, converted freighters and sub-components, said: “We continue to look for opportunities to bring freighter conversion capacity closer to our customers.

“Connecting with Joramco reflects the potential of a growing region combined with an MRO capable of producing the BCF with the quality our customers expect.”