Alenia Aeronautica is trying to strengthen its links with Airbus by becoming a risk-sharing partner on the proposed Airbus A330-200F and already-launched A380-800F freighter programmes. A final agreement is expected within the next few months and may revive the A330-200 freighter variant.
Under the proposal, Alenia Aeronautica's maintenance and conversion business Officine Aeronavale would lead conversion work on both aircraft. It already has an exclusive contract for conversions of Boeing 767 freighters. According to Alenia president Giorgio Zappa, Airbus turned down the Italian company's request to increase its workshare on the A380 from 4% to 10%. It then landed 14%of the Boeing 7E7 programme.
The A380 freighter version already has orders from FedEx Express and Emirates.
Source: Flight International
