Ethiopian Airlines completes Africa’s first passenger-to-freighter conversion

Ethiopian Airlines (EA) has become the first African airline to convert a B767 passenger to freighter. The firm who announced the completion, had partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and launched a B767–300ER freighter conversion line at Ethiopian MRO facilities in Addis Ababa. This is one of its three Boeing 767 aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said conversion is aimed at replacing these ageing aeroplanes with ultramodern and technologically–advanced passenger aircraft to provide the utmost comfort and convenience for passengers.

Cargo expansion plan

“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 getting 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,” said the CEO.

The airline has been spreading its cargo operation across the world, currently rendering their services to more than130 international destinations around the world with both belly hold capacity and 67 dedicated Freighter services. The conversion of the aircraft into a freighter is set to further boosts the airline’s cargo shipment capacity and enhances its service.