Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its 737-800SF passenger-to-freighter conversions.

IAI will now open its 737-800BDSF cargo conversions to European companies and operators, at a time when demand for conversions is high.

The first two converted aircraft for which this approval will apply have already been delivered to a customer in Spain, IAI said, with an additional aircraft undergoing conversion and joining the European fleet shortly.

IAI’s 737-800BDSF cargo conversions are already approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Last year, IAI established the first cargo conversion site in Europe together with its partner Atitech in Naples, Italy, for the 737-700/800. IAI has also recently opened new cargo conversion lines worldwide for other models, including the 767-300 in Ethiopia and the 777-300 in South Korea and Abu Dhabi.

“Receiving the EASA STC for the 737-800 will allow us to provide a solution to the increased market demand, in Europe and worldwide, for the freighter aircraft of this model,” said IAI’s president and CEO Boaz Levy. “As the global leader in passenger-to-freighter conversions, IAI has a number of conversion sites globally, and will now be able to provide potential customers with increased access to our world-class conversions.”

IAI’s Aviation Group’s EVP and GM Shmuel Kuzi commented: “We are excited to expand our 737-800BDSF conversions to Europe and bring the most cost-effective solution to the rising demand for conversions of this aircraft. Receiving the EASA STC is a major milestone for IAI and for the aviation industry, especially for the European market. We will continue expanding our operations and conversions of other aircraft models to provide the best solution to customers worldwide.”