Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed the maiden flight of its first Airbus A330-300BDSF, starting the flight-test phase of a program that will add an Airbus type to the company’s passenger-to-freighter conversion business.
The aircraft took off from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Friday, September 4, and returned after approximately 1h15. The flight followed the completion of ground tests on the prototype, which underwent conversion at IAI’s facilities in Israel.
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The A330-300BDSF, or Bedek Special Freighter, is expected to receive its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) before the end of 2026. Flight testing will now be used to validate the modifications made to the aircraft and collect data required for certification.
IAI completed the primary structural work on the first aircraft earlier this year. In May, the company announced that the A330 had been removed from jacks and was entering ground testing ahead of its first flight.
IAI will compete with EFW
The A330-300BDSF expands a conversion business historically concentrated on Boeing aircraft. IAI has developed passenger-to-freighter programs for the 737, 747 and 767 families and is also responsible for the 777-300ERSF conversion.
The A330 program required IAI to develop a new conversion package for the Airbus widebody. Modifications include installation of a large main-deck cargo door, reinforcement of the floor structure, changes to the fuselage and cargo handling systems, and removal of passenger-related equipment.
According to IAI, the converted A330-300 will be able to carry up to 61 tonnes of payload and accommodate as many as 30 containers on the main deck.
The prototype is a former Air Europa aircraft that arrived at IAI’s Tel Aviv facility in September 2024. Structural conversion work began after its withdrawal from passenger service.
IAI is entering an A330 conversion market where another program is already established. Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the Airbus and ST Engineering joint venture, offers passenger-to-freighter conversions for both the A330-200 and A330-300.
IAI has also prepared additional conversion capacity outside Israel. The company has established sites for the A330 program in Europe and plans to use a network of facilities as demand for converted widebody freighters develops.
The A330-300BDSF is aimed at operators seeking a replacement for older medium and large widebody freighters as increasing numbers of passenger A330s become available for conversion.
