FTAI Aviation Ltd. and Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver a more cost-effective Boeing 737-800 freighter solution to airline partners globally. The partnership, announced on July 07, 2026, aims to combine FTAI's engine maintenance capabilities with AEI's cargo conversion leadership to provide customized freighter aircraft at scale and at a lower cost. This collaboration addresses the growing demand for narrowbody freighters by leveraging the strengths of both companies.

The Boeing 737-800 is poised to become the workhorse of narrowbody freight, but growth has been constrained by the lack of an engine solution designed for cargo economics, according to David Moreno, President of FTAI. The collaboration will enable the delivery of aircraft with significantly lower operating costs by building and maintaining lower cycle engines customized for cargo. This initiative adds cargo to FTAI’s CFM56 platform, extending the engine’s lifecycle across passenger, cargo, and power applications.

AEI has led the global narrowbody freighter conversion market for over 60 years and has converted more aircraft than any other provider in the industry, stated Robert T. Convey, Senior Vice President at AEI. Combining AEI's conversion expertise with FTAI's engine maintenance services offers airlines a proven path to freighter capacity built for the long term. The collaboration is expected to enhance the reliability and cost-effectiveness of freighter operations worldwide.

With almost 6,000 aircraft delivered, the Boeing 737-800 is the most widely produced narrowbody in aviation history, providing the scale to anchor the freighter market for many years. FTAI’s ability to provide CFM56 engines is critical to supporting the market at scale, and its aftermarket engine maintenance capabilities will play a central role in ensuring the aircraft can fly reliably and cost-effectively. AEI, as a global leader in passenger-to-freighter conversions, has developed over 130 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), with 625+ aircraft modified using AEI STCs—more than any other conversion provider.

Key Collaboration Details

AEI currently offers passenger-to-freighter conversions for the Boeing 737-800, 737-400, 737-300, MD-80 series, and CRJ200 aircraft. The collaboration is expected to strengthen the position of both companies in the global freighter market by delivering innovative and efficient solutions to airline partners.

FTAI Aviation Ltd. plans to announce its financial results for the second quarter of 2026 after the closing of Nasdaq on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The company will post the press release and an earnings supplement to the Investor Relations section of its website, https://www.ftaiaviation.com/ , providing stakeholders with immediate access to the performance data.

Management will host a conference call on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time to review the quarterly results. Participants must register in advance via a specific link to receive a dial-in number and a unique PIN. A simultaneous webcast will be available to the public on a listen-only basis through the company's website, requiring early access to download necessary software.

For those unable to attend the live session, a replay of the conference call will be accessible. The replay will be available starting at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and will remain available until 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The replay can be accessed via the company's investor relations event calendar.

FTAI Aviation Ltd. owns and maintains CFM56 and V2500 aircraft engines, which power the world’s most widely used commercial aircraft. The company offers a differentiated Maintenance, Repair and Exchange (MRE) product designed to provide time and cost savings to airlines and asset owners globally. Additionally, FTAI acquires and manages on-lease aircraft and engines in partnership with institutional investors.

Key Event Details