|
Trending Topics
|
Israel Aerospace Industries Aircraft Conversion Hub in Abu Dhabi to Meet Surging Global Demand
(Gulf News-UAE) John Benny - "The issue of conversion of passenger aircraft to cargo is very 'in' right now because the pandemic has changed the ratio between passenger jets and cargo," said Shmuel Kuzi, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI's Aviation Group. IAI's conversion hub in Abu Dhabi will serve the global demand to convert the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 over the next few years. Kuzi noted that "the difference between the cost of a new cargo plane and a converted airplane is huge. It is about two or three times more expensive to buy a new airplane." Before Covid-19 hit, 2/3 of the world's freight tonnage was carried on passenger flights, whose services have still not returned to normal. Meanwhile, cargo demand has soared with consumers thronging to e-commerce platforms and online shopping websites.