Israel Aerospace Industries' Aviation Group is to convert ten B737-800 passenger aircraft to cargo configuration for World Star Aviation.
The agreement between Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Aviation Group and World Star Aviation also features an option for an additional ten conversions at a later date. The cargo conversions will predominantly take place at IAI's partially owned subsidiary, Bedek Lingyun Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company – known as Belinco – in Yichang, China.
Shmuel Kuzi, executive VP and general manager at IAI Aviation Group, said: “The current agreement with World Star Aviation provides a solution for B737-800s to be converted at Belinco's conversion centre as part of the MRO initiative in which we are partners. This agreement is a result of the growing e-commerce sector, which has increased demand for cargo jets.”
Yoram Allalouf, partner at World Star Aviation, added, “World Star Aviation, as a full-service lessor, has a long history in aircraft conversion with IAI. We see this agreement as a strategic next step in the expansion of our global freighter fleet as part of our partnership with Oaktree Capital Management.
“We see the 737-800 as the backbone of the short-haul and feeder freight services. This agreement with IAI compounds our plans to grow our narrow-body fleet and complements our wide-body freight strategy.”
