keynote feature
and many freighters were parked.” However: “Boeing took advantage of this time to
become even more efficient and competitive in our 767-300BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) and 747- 400BCF programmes and began market research and product development for a possible future 777-200BCF programme,” he pointed out.
ROBUST REBOUND Da Silva is very confident about the future of the company’s modification business: “All market indicators point to a robust rebound in cargo traffic for the rest of 2010 and beyond. Even with viable parked freighters returning to service and the 747-8F entering service later this year, we anticipate conversions to return to their pre- 2009 levels,” he said. “Of the 2,490 freighter
deliveries that Boeing projects over the next 20 years, about 1,750 will be conversions from passenger airplanes, comprising 1,070 standard body (less than 45-tonne capacity) freighters, 430 medium widebody (40 to 80-tonne) and 250 large (more than 80-tonne) freighters.” Nevertheless, he agrees
“However, as new generations of passenger airplanes
become viable feedstock for freighter conversions, our design expertise has to evolve in concert with the technological level of the products we are modifying.”
THE AIRBUS OFFERING But Boeing’s great aircraft manufacturing rival, Airbus, now has a significant stake in the passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion market as well. According to Lars Becker, CEO of Airbus Freighter Conversions (AFC), the Dresden-based concern that develops, markets and sells the modified freighter versions of the A320 and A321 aircraft: “Although Boeing has been the market leader in narrowbody conversions in past years, Airbus is now offering a ‘freighter family’ as well – from small feeder aircraft to large long-range freighters, transferring the commonality concept from passenger to freighter aircraft. “In the past, operators
Da Silva: “we anticipate
conversions to
that these very positive predictions for the future hide many complexities. “As recent events prove, our industry is highly cyclical,” da Silva noted. “We will need to be prepared for these cycles with highly efficient BCF programmes that can easily adjust to market realities. We must constantly strive to improve our offerings: continue to reduce lead-time, improve product capability, and increase value. “Another challenge is the ageing of the current freighter
return to their pre- 2009 levels”
fleet,” he went on. “We will need to implement and execute a balanced product strategy which meets market requirements, both through our conversion programmes and our production freighters. “Some operators will continue to rely on converted
freighters for their fleet expansion and replacement, while others will take advantage of the excellent economics of the production 747-8F and 777F. “Our role in the freighter conversion business is to supply
our customers with economically attractive air freight transportation solutions that complement the production freighters available in the market. That role is unlikely to change in the future, as indicated by the strong forecasted demand for converted freighters,” da Silva explained.
Becker sees conversion as “a very convincing solution for old passenger aircraft”
had a choice of only Boeing freighters in the narrowbody segment. But with Airbus and the EADS conversion arm EFW, we have many years of experience in freighter production and conversion and can deliver an excellent aircraft. We can offer a modern and economic
alternative to ageing B737 and B757 conversions – the A320P2F and A321P2F. Our target is to gain 50 percent market share,” he said. “AFC is new to the market, introducing a new Airbus
freighter aircraft,” Becker continued. The challenge is not only to make potential customers aware of the newly- available narrowbody freighter alternative, but also to convince operators that the A320P2F and A321P2F are very good, modern and efficient freighters. “Yet, everyone is waiting to see it flying. We believe
that once the prototype conversion is completed, the market will see the advantages of this freighter. The A320 passenger aircraft had a slow start, too, back in the 1980s. It is now the best-selling aircraft family worldwide. We believe that history will repeat itself,” he predicted.
THE BEST COMBINATION Moreover, Becker continued: “We believe that with Airbus, EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke and Irkut/UAC, the A320P2F programme combines the best resources and knowledge. The different partners all have unique qualifications in
AIR LOGISTICSCHINA 13
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