Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Israel Aircraft Industries today signed an agreement with leasing group&nbsp;Avolon to convent 30 Airbus A330-300s from passenger-to-freighter configuration. The conversions will be done between 2025 and 2028, filling the continuing need for cargo aircraft as projections call for significant growth in cargo aircraft traffic.

 


Avolon will “fully take part in the aircraft conversion and licensing process,” IAI reported, and is the launch customer for the A330-300 passenger-to-freighter conversion. Through June, the Avolon fleet numbered 837 aircraft including some 200 of the A330 widebodies.

 


As a cargo aircraft, the A330-300 will offer up to 27 main deck pallet positions, four more than the A330-200P2F offered by Airbus and ST Engineering.

 


"For the second time in recent years, IAI's Aviation Group is making history,” said IAI president and CEO Boaz Levy. “Just two years ago we announced that we will be the first in the world to perform a passenger-to-freighter conversion on the B777-300ER, and today we are announcing that we will perform the first cargo conversion for the Airbus A330-300.”

 


“We have identified IAI as a long-time global leader in the aircraft conversion business and the right partner for Avolon to capitalize on the unparalleled growth in e-commerce,” said Avolon CEO Dómhnal Slattery. “The global air freight market is worth over $150 billion annually today and the sector is transforming, with air cargo traffic expected to double over the next 20 years. This partnership with IAI signals Avolon’s intention to be a leading player in the expansion of the cargo aircraft industry."

 


Also on October 4, Ireland-based Avolon announced it has increased its revolving finance facility by $1.1 billion to $4.3 billion and extended the maturity date for this loan from 2024 to 2026. It also extended $2 billion in unsecured note maturities to 2027.

 


In September, Avolon announced a deal with Brazilian airline Gol and Grupo Comporte under which these companies will lease or buy up to 250 of Vertical Aerospace's VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft. Avolon is an investor in UK-based Vertical and one of the launch customers for its four-passenger vehicles.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Avolon Orders 30 IAI A330-300 Cargo Conversions 

IAI and Avolon have signed an agreement for conversion of 30 Airbus A330-300s from passenger-to-freighter configuration.

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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