BBAM and EFW confirm A320/A321 conversion numbers

Leasing firm BBAM has ordered a minimum of 20 Airbus A320/A321 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversions per year through to 2025 from EFW.

The order volume translates into a minimum of five slots per year, although the partners did not specify how these would divided up between the aircraft types.

The agreement comes with the option to add new conversion slots every year starting in 2026.

The companies first announced a deal for A321 conversions in 2019, but the number of aircraft to be converted was not revealed.

In January this year, BBAM announced the delivery of the world’s first Airbus A321P2F on lease to Titan Airways.

Andreas Sperl, chief executive of Airbus/ST Engineering joint venture EFW said: “The order volume by BBAM translates into a full conversion line with a minimum of five slots per year, with many of the conversions to be carried out at the airframe facility of our parent company, ST Engineering, in the US.

“When combined with top-notch conversion standards, our A321P2F solution offers unique benefits for airfreight activities, including best-in-class economics, reduced noise, lower carbon footprint, real-time health monitoring and the highest level in reliability.”

Steve Zissis, president and chief executive, BBAM, added: “We have committed to the A320/A321P2F programme well into the future – beyond 2026 – because we see it as a greener and highly innovative solution for our airline customers, and an excellent way to drive value for our investors.”

In January this year, BBAM took delivery of its first Airbus A321P2F on lease to Titan Airways.

To meet the rising demand for A321P2F, ST Engineering, along with EFW, plans to set up additional conversion sites in China, the US and Germany which will ramp up its global conversion capacity to 25 slots per year by 2023. 

BBAM has also been looking to ramp up its fleet of converted Boeing freighters.