EFW, ST Aerospace and Airbus to launch A320/A321P2F freighter conversion programme

Airbus has signed an agreement with Singapore-based ST Aerospace to offer passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion solutions for its A320/A321 aircraft. Airbus foresees a significant market demand of more than 600 aircraft over the next 20 years for P2F aircraft conversions in the small freighter segment. The A320P2F, with eleven main-deck container positions, will be capable of carrying 21 metric tonnes of payload over 2,100nm, while the A321P2F with 14 main-deck positions will be able to carry up to 27 tonnes over 1,900nm. The first converted A321P2F will be delivered in 2018. The A320/A321 P2F converted aircraft will be marketed and managed by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW). Airbus currently holds a majority stake in the Dresden-based freighter conversion specialist, together with its partner and co-owner, ST Aerospace. In order to implement the new business line for A320/A321 P2F aircraft, ST Aerospace will provide its specially developed conversion technology and will obtain another 20% of EFW’s shares, thus increasing its stake in EFW to 55%. Subsequently, Airbus Group will become a minority partner in EFW, reducing its shareholding to 45%. The management team in Dresden will continue to be headed by President and CEO Andreas Sperl and will ensure sustainable growth of the Airbus P2F freighter family while strengthening EFW´s position as a global Airbus conversions supplier. In addition, the operation will secure value-adding jobs in the Dresden region.