Airbus Freighter Conversion revealed at the show revised designs for its proposed A320/A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft, which now feature large cargo doors located in the aft- rather than forward-fuselage (as pictured).
The company's vice-president marketing and sales Michael Fuerst says moving the door to the rear fuselage "has advantages in terms of loadability, puts some weight in so that we can optimise our centre of gravity, and provides an additional pallet position".
Dresden-headquartered Airbus Freighter Conversion has also decided to remove the windows from the A320's overwing exits (not depicted), and has simplified the lavatory installation. Fuerst says he expects a launch customer for the modification to announce firm commitments at or before Farnborough International in July. The first conversion of an A320 is due to begin in January 2011, followed by first delivery in October of that year. The prototype A321 is scheduled for completion in 2012.
Airbus Freighter Conversion is a 50:50 joint venture between EADS and Russia's United Aircraft (OAK). A320-family conversions are projected to peak at 34 aircraft a year by 2015, with the work split evenly between modifications centres in Dresden and Moscow. OAK's Irkut is responsible for supplying the conversion kits under subcontract to AFC.
Source: Flight International
