Ethiopian makes history as Africa’s first B767 passenger aircraft turns freighter

By Sade Williams

Ethiopian Airlines Group said it has completed the passenger to freighter conversion of one of its three B767 aircraft. Ethiopian partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and launched a B767-300ER freighter conversion line at Ethiopian MRO facilities in Addis Ababa.

The airline introduced these aircraft models in 2004. The conversion is aimed at replacing these ageing aeroplanes with ultramodern and technologically-advanced passenger aircraft to provide utmost comfort and convenience for passengers. The conversion of the aircraft into a freighter also boosts the airline’s cargo shipment capacity and enhances its service.

Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, 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 transferring the field of maintenance, repair and overhaul. Ethiopian Airlines is committed to get 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 an e-commerce hub in Addis Ababa,” he said.

Ethiopian Airlines has been hailed for its key role in the global distribution of medical supplies and vaccines. Its cargo wing has served as a lifeline for the airline during the difficult times of the pandemic.

Ethiopian had temporarily converted around 25 of its wide-body passenger aircraft into freighters using its in-house MRO capability which boosted its cargo operations and enabled it to transport around one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine around the globe. In partnership with the Israel Aerospace Industries, Ethiopian started the full conversion of its B767 passenger aircraft at the continent’s largest maintenance, overhaul and repair centre in Addis Ababa in early this year.

The airline has completed the conversion of one of its three B767 aircraft while the conversion of the second aircraft has reached an essential stage of door cutting and will be completed in a few months.