The continued clashes between Israel and the Houthi rebels in Yemen signal that the Suez Canal and the Red sea will be closed for cargo ships for a long time. The assessment brings the demand for air cargo to unprecedented peaks.
The prevailing situation has increased the demand for aircraft conversion to all time high. The aviation group of Israel aerospace industries (IAI), which is one of the leading conversion centers in the world, has plans to open more subsidiaries to answer the demand.
One of the most significant waterways in the world, the Suez Canal, is being avoided by hundreds of vessels due to the Red Sea shipping crisis, which is the result of Houthi rebel attacks on cargo ships and tankers. Rather, these ships are being compelled to take an extended detour across southern Africa, adding 4,000 miles to each voyage. The conflict has led to a sharp increase in air cargo demand. Rising shipping rates, longer transit times, and supply chain delays are pressuring airfreight capacity.
Even before the Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red sea since war broke out on Oct 7, the conversion business of the Aviation group of IAI had reached unprecedented numbers.
According to Shmuel Kuzi, Exec VP & general manager of Israel aerospace industries (IAI) aviation group, the group is in the process of operating three conversion centers – in the U.S , Abu Dhabi and South Korea. “We also plan to open two additional conversion facilities in foreign countries , one of them in Europe,” he added.
Kuzi says the demand for the conversion of Boing 777-300 from passenger to cargo configuration is in an all-time peak. “Our facility in Israel is full for the foreseeable future and the three new conversion centers in other countries, will allow us to handle this demand that is going to grow “
In parallel, the aviation group of IAI is working to start the conversion of the Airbus-A330 .
“We also started to work on a program for the conversion of the Boeing 787 . We do everything to be at least one step ahead of any competition. Our expertise allows us to work full volume on some major conversion programs in parallel,” Kuzi added.
The aviation group of IAI has been the major facility for the conversion of the Boeing 767.
” Seven of ten Boeing 767 have been converted in our facilities,” Kuzi said.
In May 2023, IAI signed an agreement with Sharp Technics K (Sharp) and Incheon International Airport Corporation, to establish a facility for the passenger-to-freight conversion of Boeing 777-ERSF (Big Twin) aircraft in South Korea. In September that year, IAI and Marana Aerospace Solutions, Inc. d/b/a Ascent Aviation Services announced that they had signed a long-term agreement to establish a conversion site and carry out passenger-to-freighter conversions on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Within the framework of the collaboration agreement, IAI plans to have Ascent convert two lines of Boeing B777-300ER aircraft, starting in 2024 in Ascent’s facilities located in Marana, Arizona, USA.
The Aviation group of IAI is also very active in supplying systems and spares for aircraft around the world. “This year, the turnover from this part of our activity, supplying systems and spare parts, will be US$45 million,” Kuzi said. He added that the group plans to open two centers for the fast supply of spare systems and parts for civil aircraft in foreign countries to shorten the delivery time. Two places are being evaluated now – the U.S and South America.
Regional Air Mobility company Lilium has completed the first systems power-on milestone of its all-electric Lilium Jet. The successful test…
Embraer has signed an Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) with the Czech Ministry of Defense (MOD). The strategic agreement aimsto enhance…
Plaza Premium Group (PPG), a provider of airport hospitality services, has opened its Plaza Premium First lounge at Macau International…
HENSOLDT, a sensor solution provider, has partnered with DFS, the German air navigation service provider, to advance the use of…
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has officially opened a new 845,000-square-foot facility in Oklahoma City, marking the company’s largest…
Cebu Pacific, a low-cost carrier based in the Philippines, has finalised a firm order with Airbus for 70 A321neo aircraft,…
In view of the growing tension between Israel and some of the Iranian proxies in the region, the Israeli ministry…
The Indo Defence, Indo Aerospace, and Indo Marine 2024 Expo & Forum, which was originally set to take place from…
The Franco-German defence group KNDS, a key partner of the Ukrainian land forces, has established a subsidiary in Kyiv. The…
Deutsche Aircraft has announced a partnership with Weerts Group for the construction of its Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Halle…
Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (STM) and Bahçeşehir University (BAU) are set to develop ocean sensing systems aimed at…
Naval Group has formalised a contract to deliver four Barracuda Family expeditionary submarines to the Netherlands, as announced during a…
Challenge Group has announced the expansion of its operations in India by introducing two weekly flights to Delhi, commencing on…
ECS Group’s subsidiary, AVS GSA, in partnership with Thai Vietjet and Lactasoy, has launched an initiative to assist flood-affected communities…
Liebherr-Aerospace and Egyptair Maintenance & Engineering have signed a three-year contract for the maintenance of heat transfer equipment on Airbus…
Rheinmetall, a German technology group, and US-based Honeywell have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore strategic cooperation on…
SATS Ltd has signed a three-year agreement with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to expand the implementation of DG…
Semi Conductor Devices (SCD) has launched the Sparrow HD, a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) sensor module aimed at improving detection and…
As global air traffic demand exceeds pre-pandemic levels in 2024, airlines are turning their attention to fleet expansion, according to…
In recent months, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, an Iranian proxy, managed to shoot down a number of U.S-made MQ-9…
The recent German decision to equip its official aircraft with systems against Man Portable Air defence systems (MANPADS) is part…
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is calling for a comprehensive missile defence system to safeguard the nation’s territory…
Airbus has urged the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to consider acquiring the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to…
The Philippine military has underscored the urgent need for additional vessels and platforms to secure the country's territorial waters, amid…
Mayman Aerospace has completed successful flight tests at a military base in the Southern California desert of its Razor test…
Aselsan, Türkiye’s leading defense company, signed a number of critical agreeements at Azerbaijan Defense Exhibition (ADEX) in Baku, including the…
In the bustling maritime sector of the Philippines, DM8 Composites stands out as a pioneer in constructing advanced patrol boats.…
South Korean armoured vehicle manufacturer, Kovico is participating for the first time at the ongoing show. Speaking to Daily News,…
India’s state-owned Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU), the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and private Indian defence firms, are…
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will complete the delivery of air surveillance radars ordered by the Philippines, later this year. Speaking to…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.