- Israel Aerospace Industries’ A330-300BDSF passenger-to-freighter aircraft has completed its maiden flight as part of the programme’s certification campaign.
- The converted freighter is designed for regional and medium-haul cargo operations, offering capacity for up to 30 containers and a payload of up to 61 tonnes.
- IAI said the programme expands its widebody conversion portfolio as it moves the A330-300BDSF towards certification and commercial service.
Israel Aerospace Industries has completed the maiden flight of its Airbus A330-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion, advancing the A330-300BDSF programme into its next phase of certification testing.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed the first flight of its converted Airbus A330-300 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft, marking a major milestone in the development of its A330-300BDSF freighter programme.
The flight forms part of the aircraft’s certification campaign and follows the completion of its primary structural work and an extensive programme of ground testing by IAI’s Aviation Group.
During the flight, the aircraft and its systems were evaluated under a range of operating conditions as IAI continues testing ahead of certification. The company has previously stated that it expects to obtain the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the A330-300BDSF during 2026.
Guy Bar Lev, IAI President and CEO: “This milestone reflects IAI’s continued investment in advanced aviation technologies and industrial and engineering capabilities, while strengthening our position in the global air cargo market. The A330-300BDSF program further expands our broad conversion portfolio and reinforces IAI’s ability to provide long-term, flexible and reliable solutions to customers worldwide.”
Expanding IAI’s widebody conversion portfolio
The A330-300BDSF represents IAI’s expansion into the Airbus A330-300 passenger-to-freighter market, complementing its established conversion programmes for Boeing platforms.
Yaacov Berkovitz, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, said
“The successful completion of the first flight marks another important step in expanding IAI’s widebody conversion capabilities and advancing the A330-300BDSF program toward certification and commercial service. Leveraging decades of engineering expertise and operational experience, we are delivering a highly capable and competitive solution designed to address the evolving needs of the global cargo market. IAI approach is designed around the customer’s requirement for quick entry into service, supporting accelerated operational readiness and earlier revenue realization.”
The A330-300BDSF is designed for regional and medium-haul cargo missions and offers a payload capability of up to 61 tonnes, according to IAI. The company says the aircraft can accommodate up to 30 containers, depending on configuration.
Focus on loading efficiency
A key element of the conversion is the positioning of the main-deck cargo door, which IAI says has been optimised to improve loading and unloading efficiency and reduce aircraft turnaround times.
The aircraft also incorporates an electrical cargo loading system and an optimised cargo-flow arrangement. IAI’s design includes a proprietary Z-shaped rigid barrier, which is intended to improve usable main-deck cargo volume and provide additional operational flexibility. The space ahead of the main-deck cargo door can accommodate a ULD or be configured for a crew-rest module.
The conversion is aimed at operators looking to add medium-widebody freighter capacity while taking advantage of the existing global fleet of A330-300 passenger aircraft available for conversion.
Certification campaign moves forward
The maiden flight follows a series of structural and ground-test milestones.
In May 2026, IAI announced that the prototype had completed its primary structural work and moved into the ground- and flight-test phase. At the time, the company said the first flight was expected in the following weeks and that certification was targeted for the end of 2026.
The latest flight therefore represents a significant transition from structural development to flight testing. Further testing and regulatory work will be required before the aircraft receives its STC and can enter commercial service.
IAI describes the A330-300BDSF as the latest addition to its passenger-to-freighter conversion portfolio. Its existing portfolio includes Boeing 737, 767 and 777 conversion programmes, while the company says it has completed more than 300 aircraft conversions over its history.
IAI was also the first company to secure an STC for converting a Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into a freighter configuration, with its 777-300ERSF now forming part of its widebody conversion offering.
The A330-300 programme now moves into the next stage of flight and certification testing, as IAI works toward regulatory approval and the eventual introduction of the converted freighter into commercial operations.
