IAI to establish site in Abu Dhabi for converting Boeing 777-300ER jets into freighters
The facility to be set up jointly with the UAE's Etihad Engineering is seen as indicator of growing demand for such cargo jets as well as of the expansion of IAI's partnerships in the Gulf region following the Abraham Accords
IsraelDefense
| 26/08/2021
Tony Douglas (R), Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group, and Yossi Melamed, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group. Photo: Etihad
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Aviation Group announced Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Etihad Engineering, a division of the UAE's Etihad Airways, to establish a facility for converting Boeing 777-3000ER passenger jets into cargo aircraft. It is the first-ever cooperation agreement between IAI and Etihad.
The new center, which will operate as the company's maintenance center in Abu Dhabi, is expected to help meet rising demand for 777-3000ER cargo jets worldwide. IAI already operates several sites for converting passenger jets into cargo configuration, including at the company’s facility at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Etihad Engineering is the largest commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East. The center in Abu Dhabi will be the largest and most advanced in the Middle East to be certified by the UAE Civil Aviation Authority, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Aviation Safety Agency. In addition to the conversion of passenger planes into cargo configuration, the center will provide maintenance, renovation and overhaul services, according to IAI.
IAI's President and CEO Boaz Levy said "The Abraham Accords have given IAI the opportunity to expand its global activity to the Gulf region. IAI is active in over 100 countries across the world. Establishing the conversion site in partnership with Etihad Engineering is a testament to IAI’s strong ties with the UAE and strengthens its foothold in the region. I am confident that this agreement will lead to many more partnerships with local companies in the Gulf States, which will grow our business in the region."
Yossi Melamed, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, said "IAI's Aviation Group, the world’s leading cargo conversion provider, has begun the structural modification of Boeing 777-300ERSF in cooperation with GECAS to provide a leading professional solution to the air cargo industry. Over many years, Etihad Engineering has received the highest professional regard from IAI's Aviation Group. The Abraham Accords have enabled us to meet the company’s managers firsthand, to see their ability and dedication, in addition to witnessing the company’s great capabilities in the field of jet maintenance. The agreement we signed adds a significant tier to the relations between Israel and the Gulf States. I have no doubt that following this agreement, additional agreements with companies in the region will arrive, and they will economically benefit all sides involved. I would like to thank Tony Douglas, the company’s CEO, and my friend Abdul Khaliq Saeed for the energy they invested in bringing to fruition the first cooperation agreement between IAI and Etihad. I eagerly await the moment when B777-300ERSF jets converted jointly by IAI and Etihad Engineering will take to the skies and serve clients all over the world."
Tony Douglas, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group said "The Boeing 777-300ERSF is not only extremely attractive to customers but a technological breakthrough, given that it’s the first in its size category to offer extensive cargo solutions. Not only do we see the demand, but we view it as a greener, more profitable, highly innovative solution for our airline customers, and an excellent way to drive value for our business.”
Abdul Khaliq Saeed, CEO of Etihad Engineering, said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with IAI which maximises the potential of our highly skilled workforce and reinforces Etihad Engineering’s position as a centre of excellence in Abu Dhabi in line with Abu Dhabi’s economic vision 2030. Our commitment to the P2F programme demonstrates our confidence in the ability of IAI to deliver long-term value enhancement of the B777-300ER’s in the global fleet."
The facility to be set up jointly with the UAE's Etihad Engineering is seen as indicator of growing demand for such cargo jets as well as of the expansion of IAI's partnerships in the Gulf region following the Abraham Accords
Tony Douglas (R), Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group, and Yossi Melamed, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group. Photo: Etihad
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Aviation Group announced Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Etihad Engineering, a division of the UAE's Etihad Airways, to establish a facility for converting Boeing 777-3000ER passenger jets into cargo aircraft. It is the first-ever cooperation agreement between IAI and Etihad.
The new center, which will operate as the company's maintenance center in Abu Dhabi, is expected to help meet rising demand for 777-3000ER cargo jets worldwide. IAI already operates several sites for converting passenger jets into cargo configuration, including at the company’s facility at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Etihad Engineering is the largest commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East. The center in Abu Dhabi will be the largest and most advanced in the Middle East to be certified by the UAE Civil Aviation Authority, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Aviation Safety Agency. In addition to the conversion of passenger planes into cargo configuration, the center will provide maintenance, renovation and overhaul services, according to IAI.
IAI's President and CEO Boaz Levy said "The Abraham Accords have given IAI the opportunity to expand its global activity to the Gulf region. IAI is active in over 100 countries across the world. Establishing the conversion site in partnership with Etihad Engineering is a testament to IAI’s strong ties with the UAE and strengthens its foothold in the region. I am confident that this agreement will lead to many more partnerships with local companies in the Gulf States, which will grow our business in the region."
Yossi Melamed, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, said "IAI's Aviation Group, the world’s leading cargo conversion provider, has begun the structural modification of Boeing 777-300ERSF in cooperation with GECAS to provide a leading professional solution to the air cargo industry. Over many years, Etihad Engineering has received the highest professional regard from IAI's Aviation Group. The Abraham Accords have enabled us to meet the company’s managers firsthand, to see their ability and dedication, in addition to witnessing the company’s great capabilities in the field of jet maintenance. The agreement we signed adds a significant tier to the relations between Israel and the Gulf States. I have no doubt that following this agreement, additional agreements with companies in the region will arrive, and they will economically benefit all sides involved. I would like to thank Tony Douglas, the company’s CEO, and my friend Abdul Khaliq Saeed for the energy they invested in bringing to fruition the first cooperation agreement between IAI and Etihad. I eagerly await the moment when B777-300ERSF jets converted jointly by IAI and Etihad Engineering will take to the skies and serve clients all over the world."
Tony Douglas, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group said "The Boeing 777-300ERSF is not only extremely attractive to customers but a technological breakthrough, given that it’s the first in its size category to offer extensive cargo solutions. Not only do we see the demand, but we view it as a greener, more profitable, highly innovative solution for our airline customers, and an excellent way to drive value for our business.”
Abdul Khaliq Saeed, CEO of Etihad Engineering, said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with IAI which maximises the potential of our highly skilled workforce and reinforces Etihad Engineering’s position as a centre of excellence in Abu Dhabi in line with Abu Dhabi’s economic vision 2030. Our commitment to the P2F programme demonstrates our confidence in the ability of IAI to deliver long-term value enhancement of the B777-300ER’s in the global fleet."
