JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on Thursday the launch of passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversion operations in the United States, with the arrival of the first Boeing 777-300ER at a new conversion facility in Arizona.

The project, developed in partnership with Ascent Aviation Services and World Star Aviation, marks another step in IAI’s international expansion in the commercial aviation market and is intended to increase its capacity to meet growing demand for long-range air cargo transportation, according to an Arutz Sheva report.

Under the partnership, IAI will provide the engineering solutions, conversion technology and technical processes, while Ascent Aviation Services will supply the infrastructure and operational capabilities at the Arizona facility. World Star Aviation, which specializes in aircraft and engine leasing, is coordinating activities related to the first aircraft entering the conversion program.

Two conversion lines have been established at the site for the Boeing 777-300ERSF, the freighter version of the Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft. The additional capacity will enable more aircraft to undergo conversion and allow North American customers to access the service closer to their operations.

IAI is the first and only company to have received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for converting Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into freighters. The certification confirms that the aircraft design has been approved for the relevant modifications and operational requirements.

The conversion process allows airlines and aircraft operators to extend the service life of existing passenger aircraft by adapting them to carry cargo over long distances. The Boeing 777 platform is particularly suited to long-haul freight operations, offering substantial cargo capacity and range.

According to IAI, its converted Boeing 777 fleet has accumulated more than 35,000 flight hours to date, demonstrating the aircraft’s operational experience in cargo service.

The company currently supports its conversion programs through facilities in the United States, the Middle East and Asia, in addition to its own conversion site at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The new Arizona operation is expected to strengthen this international network and expand access to IAI’s conversion capabilities in North America. The facility is also expected to create hundreds of skilled jobs in the aviation sector, contributing to the regional aerospace industry.

Alongside its Boeing 777 program, IAI is advancing a separate initiative to convert Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft into freighters. The program is progressing toward certification and entry into service. If successful, it will enable IAI to offer conversion solutions for two major widebody aircraft platforms, broadening its reach across the commercial cargo market.

The expansion comes as airlines and cargo operators seek ways to increase freight capacity while managing fleet costs. Converting existing passenger aircraft can provide an alternative to purchasing newly built freighters, allowing operators to make use of aircraft already in service and extend their commercial lifespan.

IAI CEO Guy Bar Lev said the expansion reflected the company’s combination of engineering expertise and its ability to respond to changing requirements in the civil aviation market. “At IAI, we combine decades of experience and engineering expertise with the ability to identify the needs of the civil aviation market and develop advanced solutions,” Bar Lev said.

He added that passenger-to-freighter conversions were a central part of the company’s commercial aviation activities, helping operators extend aircraft service lives and adapt their fleets to changing market conditions.

Bar Lev described the launch of US operations as part of IAI’s long-term strategy to strengthen its position in the global civil aviation market.

Yaakov Berkovich, IAI’s vice president and head of its Aviation Group, also welcomed the start of operations in Arizona. “The commencement of Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions in the United States is an important milestone in IAI’s global conversion program,” Berkovich said. He added that the partnership with international companies would expand production capacity and make IAI’s conversion services more accessible to customers across North America.

IAI expects continued demand for long-range air freight and efforts by airlines to maximize the value of existing aircraft to support further growth in the passenger-to-freighter conversion market in the coming years.