Jat Tehnika marks B767 conversion milestone

Maintenance company Jat Tehnika in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has cut off and removed part of the fuselage for the new cargo door in the first conversion of a Boeing B767-300 passenger aircraft into a cargo jet in Europe. The ceremony took place at the Jat Tehnika hangar at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, where the conversion is taking place. IAI, which said its target is to convert Boeing 777 aircraft in the future, praised Jat Tehnika, which is converting a passenger aircraft into a freighter for the first time. A second B767 aircraft, formerly operated by Pegas Fly, is already in front of the Jat Tehnika hangar awaiting its conversion. "This is an achievement that will establish our company entering the wide-body market as the main European supplier for passenger to cargo conversion for Boeing and Airbus aircraft", Jat Tehnika, which is part of the Avia Prime Group of companies, said. Avia Prime consists of Jat Tehnika in Serbia, Linetech in Poland, and Adria Tehnika in Slovenia.

The entire process of the wide-body aircraft conversion is being performed in accordance with the IAI supplemental type certificate in two production lines within Jat Tehnika's hangar number two. So far, five million euros have been invested in capacity expansion, staff training and the purchase of new machinery. "Belgrade is becoming the largest aviation hub in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, which means that its potential will only grow. Meanwhile Avia Prime is all about growth, and our expansion will provide unique work experience, creating new job opportunities. This conversion program is the first one in this part of Europe. From all of the “firsts” that we have done this is surely the biggest one”, the CEO of Avia Prime, Piotr Kaczor, recently said.

The converted aircraft will be taken up by the cargo operator Challenge Group, as part of its fleet expansion.

First B767-300 under conversion

Second B767 to be converted