Ethiopian Airlines converts Africa’s first B767 passenger aircraft into freighter

Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced the completion of passenger-to-freighter conversion of one of its three B767 aircraft. Alongside IAI, it launched a B767-300ER freighter conversion line at the Ethiopian MRO facilities in Addis Ababa.

The airline introduced this aircraft model in 2004 and will be replacing them with modern, technologically advanced passenger aeroplanes. The original models will be converted into freighters, boosting the airline’s cargo shipment capacity.

The first conversion of the three B767 aircraft is complete. The second plane is at the stage of door cutting and will be completed in the next few months.

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 played a key role in the global distribution of medical supplies and vaccines, particularly during the pandemic. It temporarily converted 25 of its wide-body passenger aircraft into freighters, increasing its cargo operations and enabling the transportation of around one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide.

With inbound trips to East Africa set to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2024, modernising passenger aeroplanes could be crucial.