A330P2F

The A330P2F programme offers a passenger-to-freighter conversion opportunity for A330s that have completed their useful operational service as passenger jetliners.

Both the A330-200 and A330-300 versions are eligible for the P2F conversion. The longer-fuselage A330-300P2F is particularly suited for integrators and express carriers, resulting from its high volumetric payload capability with lower-density cargo, while the A330-200P2F is optimised for higher-density freight and longer-range performance.

As a modern aircraft with advanced Airbus technology that includes fly-by-wire flight controls, the A330 offers a highly capable platform for conversion into a freighter. More than 1,100 A330s have been ordered, with over 800 delivered to date since the A330’s service entry in 1994 – providing a large source of aircraft to support the conversion programme for many years.

AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM
Development of the A330P2F results from a strategic partnership between ST Aerospace of Singapore, the EADS EFW sister company in the Airbus Group, and Airbus, under terms of an agreement finalised during May 2012. ST Aerospace provides the resources of a proven engineering services company, while EADS EFW has demonstrated its expertise in aircraft conversions, including the A300P2F and A310P2F.

The A330P2F’s engineering development is led by ST Aerospace, working with Airbus and EADS EFW, while most conversions are planned for EADS EFW’s facilities in Dresden, Germany, in addition to the potential for additional capacity at ST Aerospace.

COMPLEMENTARY TO THE A330-200F
The A330P2F is complementary to Airbus’ new-production A330-200F freighters, as the converted aircraft address a different price-point and end-users, based on separate operational requirements.

The global market has already proven it can support both new-production freighters and converted freighter products using the same aircraft platform as the basis – if the platform is right, as is the case with the A330.

MARKET DEMAND AND PERFORMANCE
Of the approximately 2,700 freighters required during the next 20 years, about half of the total demand will be required in the mid-sized segment of the A330 – including some 900 conversions. As the mid-sized freighter segment has always been the largest in terms of demand, the replacement cycle is continuous.