Israel Aerospace Industries has advanced its Airbus A330-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion program into the flight testing phase with its first aircraft. The company recently completed the door cutting milestone on the A330-300BDSF, a key step that enables installation of a main deck cargo door to boost cargo volume and loading efficiency while cutting turnaround times.
Earlier progress included moving the initial A330-300 into the conversion hangar following the final design review. The program, which targets conversion of 30 aircraft between 2025 and 2028, now heads toward flight testing ahead of certification expected by year-end.
The A330-300BDSF joins IAI’s lineup of freighter conversions, with supplemental type certification pending approval from civil aviation authorities. IAI’s conversion facility has handled numerous passenger aircraft transformations, accumulating extensive flight hours on modified planes.