Aeronautical Engineers

Name

Aeronautical Engineers

Legal name

Aeronautical Engineers, Inc.

Website

https://aeronautical-engineers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Aeronautical Engineers (AEI), founded 1958 in Miami and the oldest passenger-to-freighter conversion company globally, develops Supplemental Type Certificates and conversion kits for narrowbody aircraft (B737 and MD-80 series, CRJ200) supplied to cargo airlines, aviation lessors, and regional carriers through a worldwide authorized Conversion Center network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Passenger-to-Freighter Conversions

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Conversion & Modification (STC/Completions) (IMABAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Modifications, STC & Retrofit Integration (IMABALAM), Modification, Retrofit & Engineering (STC, Avionics Upgrades, Conversions) (TLAKAJAI)

Keywords

• Passenger-to-freighter conversions
• Narrowbody freighter modifications
• Supplemental type certificates
• Aircraft conversion engineering
• Cargo door systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Flushing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Freighter Conversion Services: AEI provides passenger-to-freighter conversion services through its network of authorized Conversion Center partners. The company supplies conversion kits, liaison engineering, training and support to partners worldwide who perform the actual modifications.
2. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Licensing: AEI develops and licenses STCs for aircraft conversions, with regulatory approvals from authorities including FAA, EASA, China, Canada, Russia, Brazil and other countries.
3. Hydraulic Component Repairs and Overhauls: AEI is an FAA approved Repair Station performing hydraulic components repairs and overhauls, with recertification capabilities.
4. Spare Parts and Technical Support: AEI sells spare parts and provides technical support, AOG (aircraft on ground) support, and parts repair services to customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) develops Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and engineered conversion kits that transform passenger narrowbody aircraft—including Boeing 737, McDonnell Douglas MD-80, and Bombardier CRJ200 series—into freighters. The company licenses its STCs, sells conversion kits, and provides engineering, training, and ongoing technical support to a global network of authorized Conversion Centers that perform the actual aircraft modifications.

Product overview

Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI), founded in 1958, is the oldest aircraft conversion company and a global leader in passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions for narrowbody aircraft. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of freighter conversion solutions including the B737-900ERSF (13 pallets), B737-800SF (12 pallets), B737-400SF (11 pallets), B737-300SF (10 pallets), MD-80SF Series (12 positions), and CRJ200 SF (8 pallets). AEI has developed over 130 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and modified more than 600 aircraft—more than any other conversion provider. The company also operates an authorized Conversion Center partner program with facilities worldwide and provides hydraulic component repair/overhaul services as an FAA approved Repair Station.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B737-900ERSF Conversion Passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the Boeing 737-900ER, converting the high-capacity narrowbody passenger aircraft into a Class E main-deck freighter for cargo operators and airlines.
• B737-800SF Conversion Passenger-to-freighter conversion of the Boeing 737-800 into a standard freighter with main-deck Class E cargo capability for express and e-commerce cargo operators.
• B737-400SF Conversion Passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the Boeing 737-400, producing a standard freighter for second-tier cargo carriers and regional operators.
• B737-300SF Conversion Passenger-to-freighter conversion of the Boeing 737-300, the workhorse classic narrowbody, into a standard freighter for cargo and ACMI operators.
• MD-80SF Conversion Passenger-to-freighter conversion of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series into a standard freighter, providing a lower-cost alternative for narrowbody cargo operations.
• CRJ200 SF Conversion Passenger-to-freighter conversion of the Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet into a small package freighter, addressing the regional feeder and express cargo market.
• Hydraulic Component Repairs and Overhauls Repair and overhaul services for hydraulic components installed on AEI-converted freighters, provided directly to operators and Conversion Centers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 freighter conversions delivered worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and core.

• FTAI AviationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2026Strategic collaboration to meet growing demand for Boeing 737-800 freighters. Announced July 7, 2026.
• KF AerospaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Partnership with KF Aerospace to produce world's first 737-800 Combi aircraft. Announced January 8, 2026.
• Commercial Jet Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocated at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida. Specializes in heavy maintenance, line maintenance and modification services, complete airframe inspections, freighter conversions, interior modifications and avionics upgrade programs. Holds FAA, EASA and various other foreign certifications. Services A319, A320, A321, B707, B717, B727, B737, B757, B767, DC8, DC9, DC10/MD-11, MD80/90, and CRJ Series.
• Commercial Jet Services LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocated at Dothan Regional Airport (DHN) in Dale County, Alabama. Specializes in heavy maintenance and modification services, complete airframe inspections, freighter conversions, interior modifications, avionics upgrade programs and aircraft painting. Holds FAA, EASA and various other foreign certifications.
• KF AerospacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading aircraft maintenance, modification and manufacturing organization with Transport Canada Design Approval Organization and DND Recognized Design Approval Organization authorities. ISO 9001 certified, employs 900 employees across Canada with head office in Kelowna, BC. Facilities in Kelowna and Hamilton, Ontario. Expertise includes heavy aircraft maintenance, overhaul, modifications, structural, avionics, interiors, engine, landing gear, NDT, component overhauls, manufacturing.
• STAECO (Taikoo Shandong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocated at Jinan Yaoqiang Airport, Shandong, P.R. China. Leading MRO provider in China providing wide-range maintenance solutions for narrowbody aircraft with five hangars and ten maintenance lines. Solutions include heavy maintenance on B737 series, A319/A320/A321, Bombardier CRJ200/700 and SAAB 340s, cargo conversions, structural modifications, interiors refurbishments and avionics upgrades.
• HAECO XiamencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1993, leading MRO service provider in Asia Pacific offering full range of airframe services including airframe maintenance, modification, cabin reconfiguration, passenger-to-freighter conversions, and line services. Home to HAECO Private Jet Solutions. Part of HAECO Group with shareholders including Boeing, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Xiamen Aviation Industry Co. and Beijing Kailan Aviation Technology. Employs around 4,500 staff.
• GCAM (Grand China Aviation Maintenance Co.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased at Hainan Airlines Base, Meilan International Airport, Haikou City, Hainan Province. Provides overhaul services for multi-model aircraft with one-stop service. Founded in 2012, provides fuselage regular maintenance, end-of-lease check, cabin renovation and modification services with CAAC, FAA, EASA, SSCA, CAACI, DCA, BCAA, ARUBA, MOLIT and JMM authorization.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lufthansa Technik: Lufthansa Technik is a global MRO leader performing component repairs, modifications, and some freighter conversion work. While not a direct narrowbody P2F specialist, it competes in adjacent aviation engineering and modification services serving the same cargo airline customers.
• Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW): EFW is a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering that performs A320/A330 passenger-to-freighter conversions. While focused on Airbus platforms, EFW is a major player in the same P2F conversion category as AEI, serving global cargo airlines and lessors.
• HAECO (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company): HAECO is both an AEI Conversion Center partner and a broader MRO/engineering competitor. HAECO performs freighter conversions and is a major Asia-Pacific aerospace services incumbent with overlapping capabilities and customer relationships.
• Boeing - Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF): Boeing's own 737-800BCF program is a direct OEM-affiliated competitor to AEI's B737-800SF. As the OEM, Boeing has preferential feedstock access and direct airline relationships, making BCF a powerful incumbent in the narrowbody freighter conversion market.

Direct peers

• KF Aerospace: KF Aerospace is a core AEI Conversion Center partner that also performs freighter conversions independently. As a Transport Canada-approved MRO with STC capabilities, KF competes and partners with AEI in the narrowbody conversion market, including the 737-800 Combi program.
• ST Engineering: ST Engineering's aerospace division performs passenger-to-freighter conversions on 737 and A320-family aircraft, directly competing with AEI in narrowbody freighter conversions, particularly in the Asia-Pacific market.
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) - Bedek Aviation Group: IAI's Bedek division is the largest direct competitor to AEI, providing 737-800BDSF and 777 passenger-to-freighter conversions globally. They compete head-to-head with AEI on narrowbody and widebody freighter conversions for the same airline and lessor customer base.

Emerging players

• Precision Aviation Group: Precision Aviation Group provides MRO and aircraft modification services including P2F conversions. They overlap with AEI in narrowbody conversion and component MRO, serving as a smaller but technically credible competitor in the conversion ecosystem.
• PEMCO World Air Services: PEMCO performs 737-300 and 737-400 passenger-to-freighter conversions, directly competing with AEI's B737-300SF and B737-400SF programs. They serve a similar cargo airline and lessor customer base in the narrowbody conversion niche.

Regional players

• GMR Aero Technic: GMR Aero Technic is an India-based MRO that has performed freighter conversions and is well-positioned to serve the growing Indian cargo market. As AEI's India DGCA approval opens that market, GMR represents both a potential partner and regional competitor in South Asia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/aei_conversions?lang=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeronautical-engineers-inc-

Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Aeronautical Engineers