Ethiopian Airlines completes Africa’s first 767 pax-to-freighter conversion

Ethiopian Airlines (EA) completed the first passenger to freighter conversion of one of its B767 aircraft, becoming the first African airline to convert a B767.

The aircraft, one of three B767s in EA’s fleet, was converted in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) at the airline’s MRO facilities in Addis Ababa, according to a statement published by Ethiopian Airlines.

The aircraft will be deployed to support and expand EA’s cargo operations to meet demand for e-commerce in Addis Ababa, according to Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew.

“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,” said Tasew in the statement.

Tasew added, “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.”

According to the statement, Ethiopian Airlines’ second B767 aircraft, currently undergoing the same conversion, is expected to be completed in a few months.