Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) has celebrated its 60th birthday and is on track to deliver its 500th freighter conversion by the end of the year.

The company started operations on 9 July 1958 when James Addison had the vision of providing the airfreight industry with dependable and cost-effective freighter conversions.

AEI made its mark with conversions of aircraft including Convair 440s and DC6s, before solidifying its reputation in the 1980s and 1990s with conversions of the Boeing 727 series.

The company has recently passed the milestone of delivering 100 Boeing 737-400SF freighter conversions to customers around the world.

AEI chief executive officer, David Sandri says: “Today is a day for us to pause for a moment and reflect on the many great accomplishments that we have achieved as a team over the years.

AEI is a resilient and globally recognised expert in the field of narrow-body freighter conversions, an accomplishment in which we can all share immense pride.”

President Roy Sandri adds: “Our 60th anniversary is a brilliant milestone in AEI’s history and certainly worthy of commendation. With robust orders and commitments continuing to pour in from our customers for newly introduced freighter conversion products, we believe that AEI has an extraordinarily bright future.”