EADS EFW (the MRO and conversion arm of European aerospace giant EADS) began freighter conversion of a second A300-600 (msn 643, ex-American Airlines) for Sharjah-based RUS AVIATION. The first aircraft (626, also ex-AA) entered conversion in September. Rus is primarily a cargo charter specialist, with a mixed fleet of Il-76 and An-12 freighters, but is moving increasingly into scheduled operations. The carrier’s owner Saleh al Aroud said the A300-600Fs would be operated for IRAQI AIRWAYS on routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa. He also indicated that Rus planned to expand its fleet with more freighter-converted Airbus aircraft, but did not specify type, source, or schedule. Cargo Facts notes that American Airlines currently has over thirty A300-600s parked in the desert (of which eight are believed likely to be scrapped).