Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the Centre of Excellence for Airbus freighter conversions, has completed the redelivery of the first of three A330P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) aircraft to Air Lease Corporation. The global leasing firm, which manages a fleet of over 800 aircraft, will lease the aircraft to Mexican carrier Awesome Cargo.
This aircraft, an A330-200P2F, marks a milestone as the first of its kind to be registered in Mexico. It follows EFW's receipt of validated Supplemental Type Certificates (V-STC) for both A330-200P2F and A330-300P2F freighter conversions from Mexico's aviation authority, the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC), in November 2024.
Equipped with a flight crew rest compartment and centre fuel tanks, the converted freighter is capable of operating on both medium- and long-haul routes, including services connecting Mexico with China. The aircraft also features a powered cargo loading system, making it ideal for handling oversized or heavy cargo transported on 16- or 20-foot pallets.
Awesome Cargo previously operated passenger aircraft temporarily modified for cargo use during the pandemic. Building on that experience, the airline has now committed to fully converted freighters and has selected EFW's A330-200P2F to support its growing cargo operations.
Luis Ramos, CEO of Awesome Cargo, noted the airline's strategic shift: “Through this conversion programme, Awesome Cargo is committed and focused on offering unique and attractive alternatives to its clients… increasing the fleet with aircraft that are highly efficient in fuel consumption and cargo capacity compared to aircraft of the same class.”
This delivery also represents the 60th wide-body freighter to be converted under EFW's A330P2F programme. The range includes two variants: the A330-200P2F, with a payload of up to 60 tonnes and range exceeding 7,700 km, and the A330-300P2F, offering up to 62 tonnes payload and around 23% more cargo volume than comparable aircraft in its class.
