Contributor - UK

David Donald

The Boeing 777-300ERSF “Big Twin,” a passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion of the 777-300ER engineered by Israel Aerospace Industries’ Bedek Aviation Group, is making its first public appearance at the Dubai Airshow. The aircraft on show is the prototype conversion and had previously operated on regular passenger duties with Emirates Airline before being withdrawn from use in February 2020.
The aircraft flew to Tel Aviv for the P2F conversion in 2021 and took to the air again in March this year. After a lay-up, it resumed test-flying last month. One of 20 aircraft on order for lessor AerCap, the Big Twin is destined for service with U.S. cargo carrier Kalitta Air.
IAI Bedek has been a major player in P2F work for years, notably with 747 and 767 freighter conversions. With the Boeing 777 becoming increasingly available, the company has launched the Big Twin primarily as a replacement for the Boeing 747-400F and MD-11F, which have served as the stalwart heavy-lifters of the cargo world for many years.
The arguments for a 777-based P2F are compelling. The Big Twin offers 25 percent more volume than Boeing's 777-200LRF new-build freighter and 15 percent more than the 747-400BCF. It burns 21 percent less fuel per tonne than the aging 747, while IAI claims that operating costs per tonne are 22 percent lower than those of the 777-200LRF. The range of 4,650 nm matches that of the 747F, enabling operators to transition seamlessly.
IAI’s conversion includes a reinforced structure and new cargo floor, as well as a 146.5- versus 120-inch main cargo door in the rear port cabin. The cargo loading system accommodates a wide variety of pallets and containers, as well as standalone items.
IAI has gained significant interest in its Big Twin offer. In anticipation of heavy demand for the 777-300ERSF, the company has arranged production partnerships with Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi and Sharp Technics K at Incheon in South Korea to augment its own conversion capacity in Tel Aviv.

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