JAT Tehnika Completes Europe’s First Boeing 767 Conversion from Passenger into Cargo Aircraft (PHOTO)

Serbian JAT Tehnika, member of aircraft maintenance group Avia Prime, successfully completed the first conversion of a Boeing 767-300 aircraft from passenger to cargo in Europe.

The first conversion of a wide-body aircraft of this type in Europe was carried out in the production facilities of JAT Tehnika in Belgrade, in collaboration with Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tehnika’s hangar number 2, which, with over 9,000 square meters, represents one of the largest facilities of its kind in this part of the world, the company announced.

The first converted aircraft with registration number 9H-CAC took off from Belgrade Airport towards the Maltese capital, Valletta, after being handed over to the new owner and project contractor, Challenge Group.

– 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.

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 center for this purpose located in Serbia, with works on the next Boeing 767-300 already in full swing.