Global aviation leasing leader AerCap has placed an order with Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) for 15 Airbus A321P2F aircraft, with an option for a further 15 converted aircraft. The aircraft for the conversions will come from AerCap’s existing A321 passenger jet portfolio, the lessor being the owner of the greatest number of A320-family aircraft.
EFW’s A321P2F programme is developed in collaboration with ST Engineering and Airbus, while EFW holds the Supplemental Type Certificate and leads in the overall programme as well as carrying out marketing and sales efforts. The A321P2F is a next-generation, economic freighter conversion. It is also the first in its size category to provide containerised loading in both the main (up to 14 full container positions) and lower deck (up to 10 container positions).
With a gross payload capability of up to 28 metric tonnes (about 61,800 lbs) over 2,300 nautical miles (about 4,260 kilometres), the A321P2F is the ideal narrow-body freighter aircraft for express domestic and regional operations. To meet the growing demand for freighter conversions, ST Engineering and EFW have also established new conversion sites in China and the U.S. to increase total conversion capacity for all their Airbus P2F programmes, which involve the A330P2F, A320P2F and A321P2F jets.
