A330P2F
Passenger to freighter
As a modern jetliner with advanced Airbus technology that includes fly-by-wire flight controls, the A330-300 wide-body offers a highly capable platform for conversion into a freighter. Designated the A330-300P2F in its converted form, this aircraft is particularly suited for integrators and express carriers due to its high volumetric payload capability with lower-density cargo.
DHL Express was the first operator of the A330-300P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion), taking delivery of the aircraft in late 2017.
The large number of passenger A330s in service provides a source of aircraft to support the freighter conversion for many years. The A330P2F programme offers a passenger-to-freighter conversion opportunity for A330s that have completed their useful operational service as commercial jetliners.
Both the A330-200 and A330-300 versions are eligible for the P2F conversion. The longer-fuselage A330-300P2F is particularly suited for integrators and express carriers, resulting from its high volumetric payload capability with lower-density cargo, while the A330-200P2F is optimised for higher-density freight and longer-range performance.
As a modern aircraft with advanced Airbus technology that includes fly-by-wire flight controls, the A330 offers a highly capable platform for conversion into a freighter. More than 1,600 A330s have been ordered, with over 1,300 delivered to date since the A330’s service entry in 1994 – providing a large source of aircraft to support the conversion programme for many years.
The A330P2F conversion programme, launched in 2012, is a collaboration between ST Aerospace, Airbus and their joint venture EFW. ST Aerospace, as the programme and technical lead for the engineering development phase, is responsible for applying for supplemental type certificates from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Airbus contributes to the programme with original equipment manufacturer data and certification support, while EFW leads the industrialisation phase and marketing for the freighter conversion programme.
The A330P2F is complementary to Airbus’ new-production A330-200F freighters, as the converted aircraft address a different price-point and end-users, based on separate operational requirements.
The global market has already proven it can support both new-production freighters and converted freighter products using the same aircraft platform as the basis – if the platform is right, as is the case with the A330.
Of the approximately 2,700 freighters required during the next 20 years, about half of the total demand will be required in the mid-sized segment of the A330 – including some 900 conversions. As the mid-sized freighter segment has always been the largest in terms of demand, the replacement cycle is continuous.
A330P2F media gallery
DHL Express has become the first operator to take delivery of the A330-300 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) converted aircraft from Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the joint venture between ST Aerospace and Airbus. This delivery, which took place at EFW’s freighter conversion facilities in Dresden, follows the successful completion of test flights in October and awarding of the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in November. DHL Express has firm orders for eight A330-300P2F units in total, with additional options to receive another 10.
DHL Express has become the first operator to take delivery of the A330-300 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) converted aircraft from Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the joint venture between ST Aerospace and Airbus. This delivery, which took place at EFW’s freighter conversion facilities in Dresden, follows the successful completion of test flights in October and awarding of the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in November. DHL Express has firm orders for eight A330-300P2F units in total, with additional options to receive another 10.
The 800th A330 has been delivered today at a ceremony in Toulouse. The aircraft is an A330-200 Freighter, received by Aircastle Advisor Ltd for operation by Hong Kong Airlines, part of the HNA Group. This is the third A330-200F for the Hong Kong Airlines fleet. To date, over 1,140 A330s have been ordered. (13 July 2011)