ISRAEL: IAI Eyes Boeing 787 For Future P2F Conversion Lineup

TEL AVIV, Israel

• Passenger-to-freighter conversion specialist Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) plans to add the Boeing 787 to its conversion portfolio.
• Yaacov Berkovitz, IAI aviation group executive vice president and general manager, said the 787 is reaching the typical 15-year age for conversion consideration.
• Berkovitz noted the 787 consists of approximately 80% composite materials by volume, creating structural challenges.
• IAI engineering can handle the required work, he said.
• IAI requires full maintenance check capability to offer customers a one-stop shop for conversions.
• The 787 is absent from IAI's current maintenance, repair and overhaul portfolio but will be added, Berkovitz said.
• IAI has held supplemental type certificates for P2F conversions for more than 50 years and leads in the used freighter segment.
• Berkovitz described the Airbus A350F as a wonderful aircraft and said sufficient demand exists for both newbuild and converted freighters.
• The Boeing 767 conversion programme is in its sunset phase, yet more than 100 aircraft remain available worldwide with 55-ton payload capability.
• IAI offers 767-200/300 BDSF conversions.
• Berkovitz expects international e-commerce growth to drive cargo demand, noting chips do not travel by ship.

Sources:

• Aviation Week