The 777-300ERSF project was announced in 2019 by IAI and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), and Etihad Engineering will open two conversion lines working on multiple aircraft per year.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Etihad Aviation Group says, “Not only do we see the demand, but we view it as a greener, more profitable, highly innovative solution for our airline customers, and an excellent way to drive value for our business.”
Yossi Melamed, executive vice president and general manager of IAI Aviation Group says: “I eagerly await the moment when B77-300ERSF jets converted jointly by IAI and Etihad Engineering will take to the skies and serves clients all over the world.”
The development programme for The Big Twin, as the 777-300ERSF is known, was launched in October 2019 with GECAS as the launch customer, promising 25% more capacity than smaller twin-engine long-haul aircraft and 21% lower fuel burn per tonne than four-engine aircraft.