Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), the Airbus centre of excellence for passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, has announced the successful rollout of its first A330P2F aircraft for Air Transport Services Group (ATSG). This milestone delivery is part of a larger agreement in which EFW will convert and redeliver 30 Airbus A330P2F freighters to ATSG, a prominent player in the global aircraft leasing market. The move signifies ATSG's strategic diversification from its current in-service fleet of 149 aircraft towards next-generation wide-body freighters.
The newly converted A330P2F, completed at EFW's Dresden facility, is the first of its kind to be transferred from ATSG to Turkish cargo carrier ULS Airlines Cargo. The broader conversion programme spans multiple sites, including EFW's partners Turkish Technic in Istanbul and facilities in China, enhancing global conversion capacity and flexibility.
“The delivery of our first A330 passenger-to-freighter conversion marks a defining moment in our journey to reshape the future of global air cargo. As the first of 30 conversions, this aircraft represents our commitment to innovation and competitiveness in growing e-commerce markets around the globe. We do not want to just meet demand for capacity – we want to ensure we remain a leading lessor of freighter aircraft,” stated Todd France Chief Commercial Officer of ATSG.
The A330P2F programme includes two variants – the A330-200P2F and A330-300P2F. These freighters feature advanced technology and offer significant operational advantages. The A330-200P2F can carry up to 60 tons of cargo over distances exceeding 7,700 kilometres, while the A330-300P2F offers a slightly higher payload capacity of 62 tons and an expansive containerised volume of around 526 cubic metres.
The introduction of the A330P2F series marks a critical step forward in enhancing fleet flexibility, meeting growing global cargo demands, and offering a sustainable solution for extending the operational life of Airbus passenger aircraft.
