India will soon get its first facility to convert passenger aircraft into freighters as Boeing has tied up with GMR Aero Technic to establish a new Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) line in Hyderabad, India like most other countries has seen an significant increase in demand for cargo carriage during Covid GMR Aero Technic will have the capability to support future conversions of both domestic and foreign aircraft.

Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook sees India's air cargo growing by an average 63% annually, driven by the country’s manufacturing and e-commerce sectors, including its "make in India" initiative. The US aerospace forecasts demand for more than 75 freighters, including production and converted freighters and has said it will "continue supporting India's aspiration to become an aviation and aerospace hub for the region.

Boeing India president Salil Gupte said. "A big milestone And India’s expected cargo growth makes this an opportune time as well. Our cooperation with GMR Aero Technic to set up India's first Boeing Converted Freighter line is a testimony to India's growing MRO capabilities & support to #AatmanirbharBharat.

Our cooperation with OMR Aero Technic not only a testimony of the maturation of Indian MROs in the country to support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, but also supports the anticipated growth of the cargo sector in the region

The collaboration adds to Boeing's continued investments to support the growth of cargo and help expand complex aircraft modification capabilities and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) in India, supporting India's aspiration to become an aviation and aerospace hub for the region:

GMR Aero Technic CEO Ashok Gopinath said: “With the rise in the Indian aviation industry, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) services in India has been one of the fastest- growing market globally. The collaboration with Boeing reaffirms. our capability to provide world-class MRO services and further contribute to the make in India initiative"

Boeing has over four decades' experience in passenger-to-freighter conversions.

“India's long-term forecasted growth in air traffic, and availability of a large pool of skilled aviation technicians and engineers, position it well to become a key regional player in the commercial aviation sector. With over eight decades of presence in India. Boeing has built a strong network of support for its customers in the region through various initiatives and partnerships while contributing to the growth and development of the Indian aerospace and defence sector," Boeing said in a statement.