Rafi Matalon, senior vice president and general manager of the aviation group at IAI, will join Cargo Facts LATAM 2025 for the panel discussion “The evolving leasing and conversion markets in Latin America” at the Pullman Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport hotel in Brazil on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 15:45 BRT (GDT -3).

The third annual Cargo Facts LATAM, taking place Feb. 10-11, will gather market leaders in Latin America to discuss the growing trends and developments within the region.

View the full event agenda here.

Matalon joined IAI in 1981 and served in various roles prior to his promotion to chief executive of Aerohandling Ground Handling Services, an IAI subsidiary. He was promoted to vice president and general manager of marketing for IAI’s aviation group in January 2019.

IAI flew its second 777-300ERSF conversion to the Ascent Aviation Services facility in Marana, Ariz. (MZJ), in November to finalize the FAA certification process for its Collins Aerospace cargo loading system.

The company ferried its “Big Twin” prototype (32789, ex-Emirates) to Kalitta Air’s facility in Oscoda, Mich. (OSC), to complete human-factors tests with the FAA in October. It received type inspection authorization for the large twin-engine freighter in December 2023 and expects to obtain approval for its 777-300ERSF conversion program by yearend.

IAI has also begun converting its first A330-330BDSF (1574, ex-Air Europa) and previously told Cargo Facts it planned to make the door cut in the first quarter of 2025.

The company this year completed its 200th converted 767 freighter redelivery.

Register now for Cargo Facts’ essential regional events for industry stakeholders:

• Cargo Facts LATAM 2025 on Feb. 10-11 at the Pullman Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport in Brazil;
• Cargo Facts Asia 2025 on March 24-26 at the W Shanghai in China; and
• Cargo Facts EMEA 2025 on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.