keynote feature
aviation and have been successfully designing, developing, producing, maintaining and converting aircraft for decades. The co-operation between these companies in the A320P2F programme will deliver the most efficient freighter aircraft in this category.” Still looking to the future, AFC’s Becker enthused:
“Despite the current downturn, we are absolutely confident in the overall freighter conversion market in the medium and long-term. It is a very convincing solution for old passenger aircraft and gives economic and reliable freighters a second lifetime. This will also be true for the A320P2F Family.” But he feels that the role of a conversion house is
changing fundamentally. “Customers don’t just bring their aircraft for conversion but also expect support to source suitable conversion candidates,” he considers. “Also, service is becoming more and more important. Customers are looking for an ‘all-in’ package, from aircraft sourcing through conversion and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) to delivery and after-sales support. “With Airbus, EFW and Irkut in the joint venture, we offer an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) solution which
14 AIR LOGISTICSCHINA
includes engineering, asset management, conversion, maintenance and integrated customer service, all under the Airbus flag. AFC will bring a new standard to the conversion market,” Becker claimed. “The A320P2F conversion will be done with OEM
resources, know-how and support from the Airbus single-aisle programme. The A320/A321P2F will have enhanced integrated technical and operational manuals and lifelong Airbus customer support with no extra cost or fees for the operator. “It will be the most cost-efficient and will have the lowest
emissions in this freighter category. That makes the A320/ A321P2F very attractive for both cargo operators and the investment community,” Becker concluded.
BEYOND THE BIG TWO Of course, apart from the big two manufacturers there are numerous other concerns that are active in the area of passenger-to-freighter modifications. One such company is US-based Precision Conversions, where vice president marketing and sales, Brian McCarthy, believes: “Due to the recent increase in air cargo volumes, the passenger-to-
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