May 06, 2026
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has reached a key milestone in its Airbus A330-300 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion programme, completing primary structural work and moving into ground and flight testing ahead of expected certification by year-end.
- The A330-300BDSF offers up to 61 tonnes payload and capacity for 30 containers, targeting regional and medium-haul cargo demand.
- As global freighter demand grows, IAI is expanding its conversion network, strengthening its position as a leading provider of widebody and narrowbody P2F solutions for airlines, lessors and cargo operators.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a global leader in aircraft passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, announced today that it reached a milestone in expanding its passenger-to-freighter conversion capabilities for the Airbus A330-300 program. With the aircraft now off jacks, the program has completed its primary structural work and made significant progress toward conversion completion and certification. The program is now entering the ground and flight test phase, with the first flight of the converted aircraft scheduled to take place in the upcoming weeks and certification expected by the end of the year.
The Company is one of a select few worldwide with proven capability to perform advanced conversions for aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus, including complex widebody platforms. As global demand for freighter aircraft continues to rise, IAI is expanding its worldwide network of conversion facilities, in order to deliver flexible, high-value solutions to airlines, leasing companies and cargo operators worldwide.
Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI: “This achievement marks another step in executing IAI’s long-term vision to expand its role in the global air cargo market. By continuously advancing our technological and industrial capabilities, we are positioned to deliver scalable and reliable solutions that align with our customers’ evolving operational needs, while reinforcing our leadership in the conversion arena.”
Yaacov Berkovitz, EVP & GM, IAI’s Aviation Group: “This milestone reflects IAI’s ability to transform decades of experience and advanced engineering expertise into long‑term value for our customers. Our A330-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion has been purpose-built to meet evolving market demand, delivering a highly competitive value proposition and strong market appeal. As one of the few companies worldwide with the capability to execute comprehensive and highly complex conversions across both narrowbody and widebody aircraft, IAI offers customers greater fleet flexibility, long-term confidence and resilient investment value across market cycles.”
The A330-300BDSF conversion provides a cutting-edge solution for cargo operators, offering increased cargo capacity of up to 30 containers and a payload of up to 61 tons. Designed for regional and medium-haul cargo missions, it enhances loading efficiency through an advanced cargo handling system and optimized cargo flow. The forward positioning of the main deck cargo door further reduces operating time by enabling faster loading and unloading. At the same time, the robust global feedstock pool of A330-300 aircraft provides an attractive next-generation replacement for aging fleets.
For more than 45 years, IAI has been a pioneer and global leader in passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions, delivering comprehensive solutions across every segment of the aviation market. Trusted by industry leaders including Amazon, Gulfstream Aerospace and DHL, IAI is renowned as the world’s leading conversion house, with unmatched expertise across a broad range of aircraft models and operational requirements.
The Company is a global leader in widebody aircraft conversions and the first company worldwide to achieve an STC for the conversion of a B777-300ER from passenger to freighter configuration. In addition, IAI currently performs advanced conversions of the B767-200 and B767-300, as well as narrowbody conversions of the B737-700 and B737-800, offering a broad and unique product portfolio. This advantage enables IAI to provide flexible, tailored solutions to its customers worldwide.
The post IAI advances A330-300 freighter conversion as programme enters test phase appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
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Author: Anastasiya Simsek
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