(Posted 12th October 2022)
The Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced the completion of passenger to freighter conversion of one of its three B767 aircraft.
Ethiopian partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and launched a B767-300ER freighter conversion line at Ethiopian MRO facilities in Addis Ababa.
The airline introduced these aircraft models in 2004. The conversion is aimed at replacing
these ageing airplanes with ultramodern and technologically-advanced passenger
aircraft to provide utmost comfort and convenience for passengers. The conversion of the
aircraft into freighter also boosts the airline’s cargo shipment capacity and enhance its
service.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Israel Aerospace Industries and become the first African carrier to successfully complete the passenger-
to -cargo conversion of B767 aircraft. As a fast growing airline, our partnership with IAI, one of the global technology leaders in the Aerospace industry, is crucial in technology and skill transfer
in the field of maintenance, repair and overhaul. Ethiopian Airlines is committed to get closer to
its customers with high quality cargo services. In addition to our latest freighter fleets, the
converted B767 aircraft will augment our growing local and international cargo destinations with
more load capacities. We have been working to expand our cargo operation as demand is expected
to grow with the establishment of e commerce hub in Addis Ababa. “
Ethiopian Airlines has been hailed for its key role in the global distribution of medical
supplies and vaccines. Its cargo wing has served as a life line for the airline during the
difficult times of the pandemic. Ethiopian had temporarily converted around 25 of its
wide-body passenger aircraft into freighters using its in-house MRO capability which boosted its cargo operations and enabled it to transport around 1 billion doses of Covid- 19 vaccine around the globe.
In partnership with the Israel Aerospace Industries, Ethiopian started the full conversion
of its B767 passenger aircraft at the continent’s largest maintenance, overhaul and repair
center in Addis Ababa in early this year. The airline has completed the conversion of one
of its three B767 aircraft while the conversion of the second aircraft has reached an
essential stage of door cutting and will be completed in few months.
Ethiopian has been expanding its cargo operation in all corners of the globe introducing
latest technology freighter fleet. Currently, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services covers
more than 130 international destinations around the world with both belly hold capacity
and 67 dedicated Freighter services.
Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, one of the major strategic business units within
Ethiopian Airlines Group, has won Best Cargo Airline-Africa and Cargo Airline of the
Year at the Air Cargo News Awards 2022.
