Israel Aerospace Industries (Tel Aviv Ben Gurion) has launched a B737-700P2F (Passenger aircraft to Freighter) conversion programme through its MRO and conversion arm, Bedek Aviation Group, cargofacts has reported.

According to the publication, Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) is the launch customer for the process with three firm orders plus one option. Bedek says that it expects certification to occur in mid-2016 with redelivery of the first converted aircraft due at the end of 2016.

The US carrier's cargo fleet currently consists of one B737-400(F) and four B737-400(M)s used on flights throughout rural Alaska as well as to the mainland United States.