Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its B737-800BDSF passenger-to-freighter conversions.
With the EASA STC approval, IAI will open its B737-800BDSF cargo conversions to European companies and operators, providing a solution to the rising demand for aircraft conversions worldwide. The first two converted aircraft for which this approval will apply have already been delivered to a customer in Spain, with an additional aircraft undergoing conversion and joining the European fleet shortly.
IAI’s B737-800BDSF cargo conversions are already approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Last year, IAI established the first cargo conversion site in Europe together with its partner Atitech in Naples, Italy, for the B737-700/800 aircraft. IAI has recently opened new cargo conversion lines worldwide for other models, including B767-300 in Ethiopia and B777-300 in South Korea and Abu Dhabi.
Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO, said, “Receiving the EASA STC for the B737-800 will allow us to provide a solution to the increased market demand, in Europe and worldwide, for the freighter aircraft of this model. As the global leader in passenger-to-freighter conversions, IAI has a number of conversion sites globally, and will now be able to provide potential customers with increased access to our world-class conversions.”
Shmuel Kuzi, EVP and GM of IAI’s Aviation Group, said, “We are excited to expand our B737-800BDSF conversions to Europe and bring the most cost-effective solution to the rising demand for conversions of this aircraft. Receiving the EASA STC is a major milestone for IAI and for the aviation industry, especially for the European market. We will continue expanding our operations and conversions of other aircraft models to provide the best solution to customers worldwide.”
In parallel, IAI is getting ready to start the conversion of the Boeing 777-300 ER. The company has a backlog of 60 orders for the conversion of Boeing 777-300ER to cargo configuration, and the company plans to open two new conversion sites, in South Korea and Abu Dhabi.
IAI has recently signed an agreement to carry out passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions for Cargojet Canada’s Cargo Airline. The agreement was signed as a result of the growing global demand for cargo aircraft, and includes the conversion of 4 B777-300ER aircraft and additional options in the future.
IAI has recently signed a number of new agreements for cargo conversions, including converting B777-300ER aircraft for Emirates and establishing new conversion lines worldwide, including in Abu Dhabi, Ethiopia, and other locations around the world. This agreement with Cargojet strengthens IAI’s strategy to expand its growing cargo conversion lines globally.
Cargojet is Canada’s leading provider of time sensitive premium air cargo services to all major cities across North America, providing dedicated ACMI and International Charter services and carries over 25,000,000 pounds of cargo weekly. Cargojet operates its network with a fleet of thirty-one (31) aircraft and is a long-term IAI customer for aircraft conversions.
Currently, IAI is converting the first B777-300ER aircraft for AerCap Cargo, who are also the co-investor on the program, in a process which is expected to finish in 2022. This is the first conversion of this model in the world.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
