JUSTIN WASTNAGE / DRESDEN
Airbus modification centre is witnessing growing interest in single-aisle conversions
EADS EFW, the Dresden-based conversion plant, has undertaken a feasibility study into A320 family cargo modifications after enquiries from potential clients, such as GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and express package carriers DHL and TNT. The designated "original equipment manufacturer" for Airbus aircraft is drawing up marketing plans and finalising design specifications for the programme.
"GECAS realises that it has lots of A320s coming back off lease in a couple of years, and it is keen to maximise their value," says Jurgen Habermann, EFW's vice president sales and marketing.
The A320 freighter will be able to hold 11 standard pallets and carry a 20t payload, while the larger A321 will accommodate 14 pallets. The A320, introduced in 1988, will be first to enter the conversion process, but EFW forecasts strong demand eventually for freighter conversions of A321s, which could start as early as 2008.
Although EFW says that final pricing is "quite a long way off", $7 million is an initial estimate, with the likely typical market value of a converted aircraft being $18 million. Sources close to the project say both aircraft will use the same design specifications, which are being finalised by EFW engineers and Airbus designers in Toulouse.
Disagreement over the position of the 3m x 2.15m (10ft x 7ft) cargo door have been resolved after customers consulted stated a preference for a forward-placed door, a configuration favoured by the Germany-based engineers. Their Airbus counterparts in Toulouse had initially preferred an aft position due to concerns over the relatively short distance between the forward passenger door and the engine nacelles.
BAE Systems is also considering entering the A320 conversion market through its Aviation Services division, but says: "2005 or 2006 is a more accurate estimate of when the original value of the aircraft will have dropped sufficiently for conversion to be viable." The BAE division is also in advanced negotiations with the launch customer of its version of the A300-600 cargo conversion, which it expects to start later this year and clear certification a year later.
EADS EFW is about to finish the conversion of its first A300-600 for FedEx Express and has announced a deal with US leasing firm Intrepid Aviation Partners to convert up to 25 -600s and A310-300s.Source: Flight International
