IAI subsidiary, Bedek Aviation, and HAL in talks for aircraft conversion facility

Mumbai: Bedek Aviation Group, a division of Israeli aerospace giant, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to set up an aircraft conversion facility in Bangalore. According to reports, the facility will be dedicated to the conversion of Boeing 737 passenger aircraft into cargo freighters.

"We are in talks with HAL and are actively pursuing this project," said Danny Kleiman, vice-president and general manager, Bedek Aviation.

Reflecting the general worldwide trend of shifting aerospace manufacturing or servicing facilities to India, this move will provide the country's first passenger aircraft conversion facility. Currently all conversion work on aircraft is done abroad.

Kleiman also said that the Indian air cargo sector is a key market for the Bedek Aviation Group, though he refused to reveal more details about the project. "The discussions are in the very early stages," he said on the sidelines of the Air Cargo India 2008 summit being held in Mumbai.