IAI commences B777-300ERSF P2F conversions in North America

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Ascent Aviation Services and World Star Aviation today announced the commencement of Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions in North America. The first Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft from World Star Aviation’s portfolio has arrived at Ascent’s newly expanded Pinal Air Park campus in Marana, Arizona, for conversion.

Ascent’s Marana facility will serve as the North American conversion site for IAI’s 777-300ERSF programme, forming part of IAI’s global conversion network. "As cargo operators seek to maximise fleet value and meet growing long-haul freight demand, P2F conversions have become one of the fastest-growing segments in the commercial aviation aftermarket," the release reads.�

IAI launched its Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter conversion programme, known as the ‘Big Twin’, in 2019 in partnership with GECAS, which later became part of AerCap. The first aircraft entered conversion in 2021, and the programme received certification from US and Israeli aviation authorities in September 2025. As of October 2026, IAI has completed and delivered 11 converted aircraft, with customers and operators including Kalitta Air, Fly Meta, Challenge Group and Emirates SkyCargo. Kalitta Air, the launch operator, received seven aircraft. In July 2026, IAI reported five additional aircraft undergoing conversion. The company is expanding production beyond its Tel Aviv facility in Israel through conversion partnerships with Sharp Technics K in Incheon, South Korea, Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona, US, where the first aircraft from World Star Aviation arrived for conversion in October 2026.

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