Page 34 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2022 Online Magazine

AIR CARGO
Carry on

Conversion

The cargo conversion process includes mod-
DEMAND FOR CONVERSION OF PASSENGER ifying the aircraft structure, including the
AIRCRAFT-TO-FREIGHTER ON THE RISE installation of a new cargo door, replacing and
reinforcing the cabin floor, installing reinforce-
Arie Egozi ments in the cargo door area and adapting the
electric network and other systems to enable
a safe and convenient operation. In addition,
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) is expanding its aircraft conversion this process includes receiving certification
operation. According to Shmuel Kuzi, Executive VP and GM of IAI’s for the converted aircraft from the Civilian
Aviation Group, almost all types of passenger aircraft —737 ,747 Aviation Authority and the US’ Federal Aviation
and 757— are being converted into cargo aircraft. Administration (FAA).

Since the Abraham Accords, IAI has signed an agreement with “In the beginning of 2023 we will start the work
Etihad Engineering to establish a passenger-to-freighter conver- on the prototype of a converted 777 and soon
sion site for Boeing 777-3000ER aircraft. The new conversion after that the series conversion of aircraft
center, which will operate as the company’s maintenance center owned by a great number of companies. We
in Abu Dhabi, will supply a solution for the global rise in demand have 777 conversion contracts until 2026. So
for cargo jets of this model. far, the 767 was the most wanted aircraft for
conversions. Now this is going to change. Kuzi
The conversion center in Abu Dhabi is an addition to other global revealed that the group is about to start the
cargo conversion sites that IAI operates, besides its existing con- conversion of the Airbus A-330 as “for us this
version lines at the company’s campus at Ben Gurion International is an entry into a new potential market, with new
Airport. Etihad Engineering is the largest commercial aircraft technologies that we will have to deal with.”
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the
Middle East, and the center in Abu Dhabi will be the largest and Kuzi added that while with the Boeing the
most advanced in the Middle East to be certified by the UAE Civil emphasis was on the structure of the aircraft
Aviation Authority, the US’s Federal Aviation Administration, and with the Airbus big parts of the work will be
the European Aviation Safety Agency. related to avionics. “We begin with the A-330
but in the future we will offer conversions for
At the conversion center, Kuzi said passenger planes will be con- the A-320 and A-340. Kuzi revealed that the
verted to cargo configuration. Last year an agreement was signed launch customer for the A-330-300 conversion
with Ethiopian Airlines to establish a conversion site for Boeing will be Avolon aircraft leasing company.
767-300 passenger aircraft. The new passenger-to-freighter con-
version center, which will operate from the company’s maintenance According to Kuzi the group also has a very
center in Addis Ababa, will provide solutions for the rising demand experienced maintenance department and
for cargo aircraft of these models. The conversion line in Ethiopia an engine department with licenses to fix and
will join existing conversion sites that IAI operates at its campus overhaul all the widely used engines. AI Bedek
in Ben Gurion International Airport in Mexico and China. A new provides the added value as a one-stop, full-ser-
conversion site in China will be launched this year. vice provider that provides comprehensive
maintenance services for aircraft, engines and

Another conversion center for 777 will soon open in South Korea. components under one roof including heavy
Kuzi revealed that in the coming months the group will receive the maintenance, modifications, upgrades and
STC for the 777. Last October, the process of converting a Boeing aircraft conversions. The Engines Division, as
777-300 ER was marked by cutting an opening in the hull to install part of the Aviation Group, performs the main-
a cargo door. The part of the cabin removed from the aircraft is 7 tenance of a large variety of engines such as
meters long and a third of the aircraft’s circumference. the JT9D, CFM56-3/5/7, PW4000 and others.

34 January/February 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ AAA