Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), Airbus’ Centre of Excellence for freighter conversions, has received validation from the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) for its Supplemental Type Certification (STC) covering Airbus A320 and A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) programmes. This approval enables EFW to offer its OEM-supported standard body freighter conversions to operators of China-registered aircraft, significantly expanding its footprint in one of the world’s most rapidly growing air cargo markets.
This development follows the CAAC’s 2023 validation of EFW’s A330P2F programme, under which 19 converted A330 freighters have already been delivered to Chinese operators. With the latest certification, EFW can now provide a full suite of freighter conversion options across both narrow-body and widebody aircraft to Chinese customers, reinforcing its presence in the region.
The A320P2F and A321P2F stand out in their segment with the lowest fuel consumption in their class, and are the first to offer fully containerised cargo on both upper and lower decks. The A321P2F supports payloads exceeding 28 tonnes, while the A320P2F handles more than 21 tonnes. These aircraft are seen as ideal replacements for ageing standard-body freighters and offer high flexibility, cross-crew operation, and reduced operational costs—making them especially attractive to express carriers.
EFW’s P2F programme is the only one supported by an OEM, ensuring high lifecycle value, maintenance ease, and reliability. The company operates a global conversion network spanning eight sites, including locations in Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Tianjin in China. An additional facility in Okinawa, Japan, is due to open soon. Beyond China, EFW’s A320/A321 conversions are also approved in Europe, the United States, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, and India, underlining the growing international appeal of its freighter solutions.
