Aerospace and defence company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), has joined Sharp Technics K (STK) and Incheon International Airport Corporation in a ceremony marking the laying of the cornerstone for a joint Boeing 777 passenger-to-freight conversion facility in Korea. Senior officials and representatives from all three companies were present for the occasion.
In collaboration with AerCap, IAI achieved the ground breaking conversion of a Boeing 777-300ER (referred to as the ‘Big Twin’) for the first time in history. This converted aircraft has already garnered numerous orders and is poised to receive certification soon from aviation authorities. Analysts project that owing to significant advantages, the converted Boeing 777 passenger-to-freight aircraft will emerge as one of the world’s leading freighters.
IAI is optimistic that its close partnership with STK and Incheon International Airport Corporation, coupled with the demand for the ‘Big Twin’, will yield numerous benefits for the companies, bolster the Korean aviation industry, consolidate local expertise and generate employment opportunities.
Shmuel Kuzi, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, expressed: “Today is a significant milestone in the ‘Big Twin’ programme and our partnership with STK and Incheon International Airport. I appreciate our partners’ investment of time and resources in this important project, and I look forward to further developing our strategic cooperation with Korean companies and the South Korean government.”