Belgrade, Serbia-based Jat Tehnika, a subsidiary of Avia Prime, has successfully completed the first passenger-to-cargo conversion of a Boeing 767-300 aircraft in Europe in collaboration with Israeli Aerospace Industries.
The first converted aircraft with registration number 9H-CAC took off from Belgrade Airport to the Maltese capital, Valletta, after being handed over to the new owner and project contractor, Challenge Group, a global leader in cargo aviation.
“We are excited because the bold vision that emerged six years ago has become a reality today. We have been preparing for this for a long time, going through the most demanding aviation authority checks and we are proud of the new technology and know-how that have been applied for the first time in Belgrade. This is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Avia Prime and European aviation, which will strengthen our position as the main European supplier for the conversion of Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft,” said Piotr Kaczor, CEO of Avia Prime and Jat Tehnika.
“Today marks a crucial milestone in our history as we welcome a new addition to our fleet—the Boeing 767 converted freighter. This delivery signifies more than just the introduction of a new aircraft type. It symbolises the commencement of our ambitious fleet expansion plan, which aims to triple our fleet by the year 2026 by incorporating three different aircraft types into our fleet, including the efficient Boeing 777 aircraft in the near future'' Yossi Shoukroun, Challenge Group CEO commented.
The aircraft that has undergone this demanding modification has been given new life and is the first in a series of wide-body aircraft that will be converted in the new European centre for this purpose located in Serbia, with works on the next Boeing 767-300 already in full swing.