Avia Prime, the leading aircraft maintenance group in Europe, consisting of three prominent companies, including Serbian Jat Tehnika, today successfully completed the first conversion of a Boeing 767-300 aircraft from passenger to cargo in Europe.

The first converted aircraft with registration number 9H-CAC took off this afternoon at 16:00 local time from Belgrade Airport towards the Maltese capital, Valletta, after being handed over to the new owner and project contractor, Challenge Group, a global leader in cargo aviation. According to Yossi Shoukroun, Challenge Group CEO, the company aims to triple its fleet by the year 2026 by incorporating three different aircraft types, including the efficient Boeing 777 aircraft in the nearest future.

The first conversion of a wide-body aircraft of this type on the oldest continent was carried out in the production facilities of Jat Tehnika in Belgrade, in collaboration with "Israeli Aerospace Industries," 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.

"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.

"With decades of expertise and the most advanced technologies in the industry that Avia Prime offers to interested parties at competitive prices, we are proud to lead more and more projects contributing to a greener and more sustainable future in aviation. With continuous progress, we are confident in our bright perspective, and for us, just as our slogan says, “The only way is up," concludes Kaczor.

For more information about the activities of the Avia Prime Group, visit the Avia Prime website.