Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has been selected by FITS Aviation of Sri Lanka to provide two firm MD82SF 12 Pallet Configuration conversions. The first aircraft is an ex Alitalia MD82, (MSN 53217) built in 1993 and will soon be undergoing freighter modification at AEI's Authorized Conversion Center, Commercial Jet, Inc. which is located in Miami, Florida.
Omar Kayaam, Chief Executive Officer for Fits Aviation Private Limited stated that "We have been in search of a 20 ton cargo aircraft to service our growing needs. A detailed comparative analysis of potential freighter aircraft was carried out and we finally firmed up on the decision to acquire an MD 82 aircraft and carry out a passenger to freighter conversion with AEI. The MD82SF's lower cost of ownership and its proven reliability supported our decision. The conversion process is to begin in mid-October and we are eager to see the aircraft in service by years end."
This unique flexibility has been designed by AEI to allow the operator to immediately adapt to multiple ULD configurations at a moment's notice. When combined with proven reliability, the AEI Converted MD82SF will allow FITS Aviation to keep their aircraft where they belong "In the air, generating revenue".