Israel Aerospace Industries has launched Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter conversions in North America, opening a new chapter in its commercial aviation operations through a partnership expected to create hundreds of skilled American jobs.

IAI, Ascent Aviation Services and World Star Aviation announced Thursday that the first Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft had arrived at Ascent’s expanded Pinal Air Park campus in Marana, Arizona, for conversion into a cargo aircraft.

The plane, supplied from World Star Aviation’s portfolio, will undergo conversion under IAI’s Boeing 777-300ERSF program. The Arizona facility will serve as the program’s North American conversion site within IAI’s global network.

Under a long-term agreement, Ascent will operate two parallel conversion lines. The expansion is expected to generate hundreds of highly skilled aviation positions in Southern Arizona while increasing capacity for customers seeking long-haul cargo aircraft.

The launch follows the completion of two purpose-built widebody hangars, each measuring 90,000 square feet. The $70 million investment triples hangar capacity at Ascent’s Marana facility and expands its ability to perform heavy maintenance and major aircraft modifications.

IAI President and CEO Guy Bar Lev said converting passenger aircraft into freighters extends their useful lives and helps airlines respond to changing market demands.

“Establishing a conversion presence in North America advances our long-term strategy to strengthen IAI’s position in the global commercial aviation market,” he said.

Yaacov Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, described the launch as an important milestone that expands production capacity and brings the company’s conversion capabilities closer to regional customers.

He also credited World Star Aviation with helping bring the first aircraft to Marana and supporting the program.

Ascent CEO David Querio said the aircraft’s arrival marked the beginning of a long-term partnership and the first of many planned Boeing 777 conversions at the facility.

IAI describes its 777-300ERSF program as the world’s first and only certified passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the Boeing 777-300ER.

World Star Aviation partner Yoyo Allalouf said the company selected the program based on its technology, production prospects and the capacity and quality standards available at Ascent’s facility.

Fellow partner Garreth Slevin noted that World Star’s relationship with IAI dates back to the Boeing 747-200 conversion program in the 1990s. He said that longstanding partnership, together with IAI’s experience converting Boeing 747s and 767s, supported the decision to participate in the 777 program.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)