IAI begins work on first A330-300 freighter conversion
16 / 09 / 2024
Airbus A330-300. Photo credit: IAI
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has begun work on the first Airbus A330-300 passenger to freighter conversion, following the successful completion of the final design review (FDR).
The freighter conversion company said it moved the aircraft into a construction hanger earlier this month. As part of the preparation and pre-production process, IAI said it has established two supply chains to ensure stability and consistency of production for the widebody A330-300P2F.
Shmuel Kuzi, vice president and general manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, said: “The entry of the first Airbus A330-300 into the passenger-to-freight conversion process is a significant milestone in the expansion of our portfolio for customers who choose to benefit from IAI’s extensive knowledge, uncompromising quality, and attractive pricing in the field of aircraft cargo conversion.”
Between 2025 and 2028, IAI said it will convert 30 Airbus A330-300 aircraft from passenger-to-freighter configurations.
Aircraft leasing firm Avolon became the launch customer for IAI’s A330-300 programme after signing a deal for 30 of the conversions in 2021.
The A330-300 milestone comes as IAI’s first-ever Boeing B777-300ER (Big Twin) conversion is expected to be certified by global aviation authorities in the coming months.
In an exclusive interview with Air Cargo News in July, Kuzi said IAI was hoping to soon receive a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its 777-300 programme, plus was considering launching a conversion programme for the Boeing 787.
Earlier this year, IAI also launched a Global Control Centre (GCC) system, designed to manage and monitor major projects such as the company’s international aircraft conversion programmes.
This system, developed in-house, aims to reduce the conversion time for each aircraft, optimise planning and logistics processes, and allows for the targeted and horizontal management of errors or challenges that may arise. The GCC system also allows the conversion process to be clearly presented in real-time to the company’s existing or new customers.
According to an IBA webinar earlier this year, A330-300 conversions are expected to ramp up, with an increase in A330-200s alongside this.
The A330-300P2F has a maximum payload of 61 tonnes, 27 maindeck pallet positions and a range of more than 3,600 nautical miles.
IAI’S competitor, German conversion firm Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has already produced over 20 A330-300P2Fs, with many of these delivered to DHL Express, the launch customer for the conversion aircraft.
EFWs A330P2F programme comes with two variants – the A330-200P2F and A330-300P2F. The company has now matched in conversions the total figure of Airbus A330 factory freighters so far manufactured.
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