EFW Delivers First A330P2F Aircraft to Air Lease Corporation

EFW Delivers First A330P2F Aircraft to Air Lease Corporation

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), renowned as the Centre of Excellence for Airbus freighter conversions, has completed the delivery of its inaugural A330P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) aircraft to Air Lease Corporation. The global leasing firm, which manages a fleet exceeding 800 aircraft, will lease this converted A330-200P2F to Mexican carrier Awesome Cargo. This delivery marks a significant milestone as the first A330P2F to be registered in Mexico.

Certification and Aircraft Capabilities

The delivery follows EFW’s receipt of validated Supplemental Type Certificates (V-STC) for both the A330-200P2F and A330-300P2F conversions from Mexico’s aviation authority, the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC), in November 2024. The aircraft is outfitted with a flight crew rest compartment and centre fuel tanks, enabling it to operate efficiently on medium- and long-haul routes, including services between Mexico and China. Additionally, a powered cargo loading system facilitates the handling of oversized or heavy cargo on 16- or 20-foot pallets, enhancing operational flexibility.

Strategic Shift for Awesome Cargo

Awesome Cargo, which had previously operated passenger aircraft temporarily modified for cargo use during the pandemic, is now transitioning to fully converted freighters. The airline has selected EFW’s A330-200P2F to support its expanding cargo operations. Luis Ramos, CEO of Awesome Cargo, highlighted the strategic importance of this move, stating, “Through this conversion programme, Awesome Cargo is committed and focused on offering unique and attractive alternatives to its clients… increasing the fleet with aircraft that are highly efficient in fuel consumption and cargo capacity compared to aircraft of the same class.”

Market Context and Industry Implications

This delivery also represents the 60th wide-body freighter conversion under EFW’s A330P2F programme. The programme includes two variants: the A330-200P2F, capable of carrying up to 60 tonnes with a range exceeding 7,700 kilometres, and the A330-300P2F, which offers a payload capacity of up to 62 tonnes and approximately 23% more cargo volume than comparable aircraft.

EFW’s latest delivery arrives amid robust demand for widebody freighter conversions. Market data reveals that airlines such as ULS and Uganda Airlines are planning significant fleet expansions, reflecting a broader industry trend toward converted freighters. While EFW’s A330P2F programme is gaining momentum, the company may encounter challenges related to the conversion process and market acceptance of this freighter variant. Nonetheless, the successful delivery to Air Lease Corporation could stimulate increased interest from other cargo carriers, potentially bolstering EFW’s market position. Competitors are likely to respond by accelerating their own freighter conversion programmes or intensifying marketing efforts to promote existing offerings, further shaping the evolving cargo aircraft landscape.