ST Aerospace, Airbus and EADS EFW have finalised the agreement to launch the A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F)
conversion programme. This follows the MoU announced at the Singapore Airshow in February this year setting out the project’s foundation and granting ‘Authorisation To Offer’ for the A330P2F.
ST Aerospace lead the A330P2F engineering development work in
collaboration with Airbus and EADS EFW, while EADS EFW will lead the industrial phase and undertake marketing and sales activities, supported by Airbus. Most of the conversions will take place at EADS EFW facilities in Dresden, Germany, with the remainder at a dedicated facility of ST Aerospace.
EADS EFW will also serve as ST Aerospace’s European maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre, which fills the gap in ST Aerospace’s global airframe MRO footprint.
Under the agreements, ST Aerospace will subscribe to new shares in EADS EFW, representing 35 per cent of the enlarged share capital of EADS EFW, for a total consideration of €110.5 million,
comprising A330P2F engineering development work and cash injection.
This will be funded internally by ST Aerospace. EADS will hold a 65 per cent shareholding in EADS EFW.
Subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions for the investment, the A330P2F engineering development phase is anticipated to commence by the end of 2012, with entry-into-service of the first A330P2F scheduled for 2016.
The A330P2F programme includes two versions – the A330-200P2F and the larger A330-300P2F. Of the two models, the larger A330-300P2F will be particularly suitable for integrators
and express carriers thanks to its high volumetric payload capability with lower-density cargo, according to ST Aerospace. Complementing this will be the A330-200P2F which will be optimised for higher-density freight and longer range performance.
As well as complementing the factorybuilt A330-200F in service today, the A330P2F freighter conversion programme will also enhance and sustain A330 Family residual values by extending
the economic lives of A330 airframes, said Airbus.
“The strong demand from airlines for a programme to convert used
A330s from passenger configuration into an attractive freighter is clear,” said Tom Williams, EVP of Programmes at Airbus. “Together with ST Aerospace and our sister company EADS EFW we have the perfect partnership to bring efficiency, reliability and profitability to our operators.”
According to Airbus forecasts, approximately 2,700 freighters will be required over the next 20 years, and around half of these will be in the mid-sized freighter segment, including 900 conversions. “Addressing this requirement, both the A330-200P2F and the A330-300P2F facilitate the change to environmentally-friendly,
new-technology converted freighters, while recognising the operators’ focus on capital cost,” Airbus said.
