Elbe Flugzeugwerke’s (EFW) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for its Airbus A320 and A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) conversion programmes has been validated by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
With this validation, EFW can now offer A320 and A321 conversions to customers with China-registered Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The validation will help to reinforce freighter conversion business in the Chinese market, said EFW.
Since securing CAAC’s approval for its A330P2F programme in 2023, EFW has redelivered 19 A330 converted freighters to Chinese operators.
“With CAAC’s approval of the STC for our A320/A321P2F programme, we can now offer the full suite of our conversion solutions for Chinese-registered aircraft, a major step in supporting the freight needs of the rapidly expanding Chinese market,” said Jordi Boto, chief executive of EFW.
“Amid strong market demand for Airbus freighter conversions, particularly with the A320P2Fs and A321P2Fs expected to play a crucial role in the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets, we look forward to providing more operators with our innovative conversion solutions tailored to both short- and long-haul routes.”
EFW’s programmes include the widebody platforms – the A330-200P2F and the A330-300P2F – which were first redelivered in 2017 and 2018 respectively; and the narrowbody platforms – the A321P2F and the A320P2F which were first redelivered in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
The programmes are developed in collaboration with ST Engineering and Airbus, with EFW holding the Supplemental Type Certificate and leading in the overall programme as well as marketing & sales efforts.
The A321P2F offers a payload of more than 28 tonnes, while the A320P2F accommodates more than 21 tonnes.
These aircraft provide lower operational costs and high flexibility for operators, especially express carriers, said EFW.
The A320P2F and A321P2F offer the lowest fuel burn in their class and feature a fully containerised upper and lower deck, a first in this freighter segment, added EFW.
EFW has a global network of eight conversion sites, including an upcoming site in Okinawa, Japan.
In China, EFW already has conversion sites in Shanghai and Chengdu for the A330P2F programme, plus conversion sites in Guangzhou and Tianjin for the A321P2F programme.
At the end of last year, EFW re-delivered the first A330P2F modified at the facility of its China-based conversion partner, ST Engineering Aerospace Guangzhou Aviation Services Company.
In addition to China, EFW has secured A320P2F and A321P2F validations in key regions including Europe, the US, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, and India.
EFW redelivered its 100th converted aircraft in November last year - an A330P2F from its facility in China.
