Kalitta Air (K4, Detroit Willow Run) has taken delivery of its maiden B767-300F following its conversion into a freighter with Bedek Aviation Group, the MRO arm of Israel Aerospace Industries (Tel Aviv Ben Gurion).

Skyliner Aviation indicates N173CR (msn 24753) was ferried from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion to Oscoda via Detroit Willow Run earlier this month and is due to be deployed into service in May.

Kalitta acquired four B767-300(ER)s of which two, both ex-Business Air (Thailand) (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) machines, are to be converted into freighters while the other two will be used for spares. Air Cargo World indicates several more may be acquired in future to serve as replacements for Kalitta's ageing fleet of four B747-200(F)s. The twinjets will also allow the carrier to test the US domestic freight market which it has thus far overlooked in favour of international operations.

The Michigan-based cargo specialist also operates ten B747-400(F)s (two of which are away on duty for DHL Express).