Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on Wednesday that it has closed a deal with Etihad Engineering to establish an aircraft conversion site in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The site will be used to convert Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes into cargo aircraft. This site, which will be operating as the company’s main maintenance center in Abu Dhabi, is being established to meet the growing demand for cargo aircraft.
Tony Douglas, chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, reflected on the deal by stating: “Not only do we see the demand, but we view it as a greener, more profitable, highly innovative solution for our airline customers, and an excellent way to drive value for our business.”
After Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalized relations under the U.S.-sponsored Abraham Accords, the two countries have engaged in a series of cooperative deals. This includes the IAI’s partnership with UAE’s state-owned weapons maker EDGE to create an advanced drone defense system.
In addition to the new facility in the UAE, the IAI already operates several cargo conversion sites, including one at its headquarters at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
Etihad Engineering is one of the largest aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services providers in the Middle East.
