PACAVI Group and AeroTurbine plan start new programme to convert A320 and A321 passenger planes to freighters with commercial deliveries beginning by 2017.

PacAvi Group CEO, Stephan Hollmann, commented on the project: “We view this as an exciting opportunity.  There are currently about 600 freighters of the size category of the A320 and A321 operating globally, and this market is set to grow rapidly in the BRIC countries and around the world. Right now the only products of similar capacity are from Boeing.”

PacAvi Group will be joined in this programme by AeroTurbine Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AerCap, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies.  AeroTurbine will perform freighter conversions at its Goodyear, Arizona facility, where it currently conducts passenger to freighter conversions for other aircraft as well as aircraft MRO services for Airbus A320 aircraft. The AdviseAer arm of AeroTurbine will also participate in the programme and will provide comprehensive aircraft management services.

Garry Failler, chief operating officer of AeroTurbine, added: “This is an excellent growth opportunity for Goodyear.  AeroTurbine as a whole has more than tripled in size in recent years, and converting A320’s and A321’s expands our product offerings considerably.”

When asked about a prior Airbus programme for A320 and A321 freighter conversions that was terminated several years ago, Hollmann commented: “Airbus said that it cancelled that programme to focus on its main business, manufacturing new aircraft, and demand has only increased since then.  Passenger to freighter conversions is very much a niche business, and our key people have excellent track records in previous successful Airbus passenger to freighter conversion programmes.”