Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), the centre of excellence for Airbus passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions and a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus, has received validation of its supplemental type certification (V-STC) for the Airbus A321P2F programme from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). This significant achievement coincided with the redelivery of an A321P2F aircraft to EFW’s customer, AerCap, for leasing to Azul Cargo. This aircraft marks the first-ever A321P2F to operate in South America. Azul Cargo plans to expand its air cargo fleet with an additional A321P2F by the end of this year.
With the V-STC from ANAC, EFW’s conversion programmes are now validated by major aviation authorities across all continents, enabling the company to offer aircraft conversions, registrations, and operations throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
“With the validated STC for our A321P2F programme obtained from the Brazilian aviation authority, we look forward to introducing this freighter conversion solution to the wider South American market,” said Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW. “The validated STC, along with the first-ever A321P2F to be operated in South America by Azul Cargo, marks a major milestone that strengthens the global presence of our Airbus converted freighters.”
Prior to ANAC’s V-STC, A321P2F aircraft in the Americas were registered in North America, flying cargo to destinations in the U.S. and several countries in Central America. EFW’s widebody A330P2F freighters, operated by airlines registered in the Americas, primarily serve domestic routes in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as routes connecting North America with South America and Asia.
More than ten percent of all EFW P2F aircraft in operation globally are registered in the Americas, having completed over 4,000 flights in the past 12 months.
EFW’s A330P2F and A320P2F/A321P2F conversion programmes are developed in collaboration with ST Engineering and Airbus, with EFW holding the supplemental type certificate and leading the overall programme as well as marketing and sales efforts.
