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COVER STORY © Airbus SAS 2022

FROM P TO F

Air cargo may be going through a dip, but conversions
remain an area of focus for air-framers and lessors

 Jay Menon GROWING DEMAND FOR P2F

n March, the world’s first Boeing 777-300ER passen- Given how successful the passenger Boeing
ger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion conducted its maiden test 777-300ER has been at almost 850 orders, IAI
I flight. The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the is currently establishing a number of remote
successful completion of the first test flight of the “Big Twin” conversion facilities around the world, in addi-
B777-300ERSF, which stands for ‘Extended Range Special tion to the facilities at IAI’s home company.
Freighter,’ as part of the final certification process for the aircraft. During the last year, IAI’s Aviation Group has
signed hundreds of millions of dollars of pas-
On conclusion of the certification process by the Civil Aviation senger-to-cargo conversion contracts with the
Authorities, the Big Twin will be the first twin engine aircraft of world’s leading aviation companies including
this type, able to carry 100 tonnes cargo payload. AerCap, Emirates Cargo, Challenge Group,

IAI completed the conversion for customer AerCap, with the EVA Air and CargoJet. AerCap early this year
freighter expected to enter service with US-based cargo carrier signed lease agreements for four Boeing
Kalitta Air later this year. The aircraft offers up to 25 per cent 777-300ERSF aircraft with Hong Kong based
more capacity than the 777-200F and a host of efficiency advan- global air cargo charter company, Fly Meta.
tages over other large freighters. The widebody P2F will have a The aircraft are scheduled to deliver in 2024
maximum payload of 101.6 tonnes and is powered by two GE90 through 2025.
engines with a 21 per cent reduction in fuel burn compared
to the Boeing 747-400F. AerCap Cargo and IAI launched the NEW FOCUS AREA
777-300ERSF conversion programme in 2019. This programme
adds to IAI’s 45-year aircraft conversion track record including Air cargo remains an area of focus for
the B767-200/300, B747-400, and B737-700/800 freighter pro- air-framers and lessors that are investing in
grammes, in service today. IAI has worked extensively with lessor conversions and dedicated freighter fleets
AerCap, with the two partnering on over 60 P2F conversions and while global logistic companies are creating
counting. new cargo airlines to capitalise on demand.
MSC Mediterranean’s MSC Air Cargo and
Shmuel Kuzi, EVP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group Maersk Air Cargo (a takeover of Star Air)
said: “The successful first flight is a world breakthrough in the were both launched in 2022 by their ship-
field of widebody aircraft passenger-to-cargo conversions. The ping conglomerate parent companies. Atlas
advanced capabilities and efficient solutions which IAI offers its Air announced a long-term partnership with
customers provide the solution having the best value available MSC Air Cargo in September and will operate
in the market, supporting the growing demand for cargo aircraft four new 777-200 freighters under their agree-
around the world.” ment. At the time, Soren Toft, Chief Executive
ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE MARCH - APRIL 2023 | 5