AerCap converting 30 A320/A321s into cargo planes
Dutch aircraft leasing company AerCap today contracted with Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH (AFC) to convert 30 of its passenger A320/A321s into freighters.
AerCap in the process becomes the launch customer for the A320/A321P2Fs (passenger-to-freighters). “This order will strengthen and expand our portfolio with the most and only modern aircraft in the small freighter segment,” said Klaus Heinemann, chief executive officer of AerCap.
Christian Scherer, Airbus executive vice president strategy and future programs, said the A320/A321P2Fs 'address the future growth of the air cargo market and target at the replacement of the aging small freighters in service today. These modern fly-by-wire aircraft will bring new levels of efficiency to freight operations. In addition, this new application will further extend the service life of the successful A320 Family far into the 21st century and boost their residual value. We see a substantial market demand.”
Lars Becker, CEO of AFC, said the first A320 P2F would be ready in 2011. After ramp up he expects AFC to convert about 30 of the A320 family aircraft into freighters every year. “We anticipate about 400 Airbus single-aisle aircraft to be converted from 2012 to 2026,” he added.