EFW sees demand for freighter conversions accelerate

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) is seeing higher demand for conversions than ever.

The German aerospace manufacturer has seen an acceleration in demand for conversions since mid-2021, according to chief executive Jordi Boto.

Its order book is filled until 2026-7, and the company, a joint venture between Singapore-based ST Engineering and France-headquartered Airbus, achieved around €2bn in orders in the last financial year.

EFW is busy delivering a steady stream of Airbus A330 and A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions to customers and, just lately, the world’s first A320P2F.

At the same time as deliveries, EFW has seen some lucrative orders. In February, CDB Aviation ordered 12 A330P2Fs, expanding its fleet of this type to 14 aircraft. This is in addition to an order in February for six A321P2Fs from SmartLynx Airlines.

Lessor Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) secured 29 A330P2F conversion slots in March, while Qantas ordered two A330P2F conversions in December, to be delivered from 2023.

EFW is keen to meet further demand. “We are working on generating additional conversion capacity from 2024 onwards,” says Boto.

To manage this, the company is redistributing staff from other activities into P2F conversion activities, and EFW is also working with MRO partners to outsource some of its activities.

The company aims to expand further globally in the coming years and is already seeing strong demand in Asia and North America.

Boto said: “In the years ahead two thirds of our revenue will be from outside of Germany.”

Read the full interview with Jordi Boto in Air Cargo News’ upcoming Autumn 2022 issue.

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