FREIGHTER
CONVERSIONS
“The A320 is comparable to the
B737-800 and B737-700. The
A320 is very cost-efficient and
carries more containerised
volume than the B737-800. It’s
a good complement to the
A321 in terms of load factors.”
Convey is less convinced. “I
don’t believe that it will be a
success, as it is too small for
today’s requirements. The door
is too close to the engine. If
they were going to launch it,
then it should have happened
five or six years ago.”
Despite those reservations,
EFW has secured the first
airline customer for the A320
freighter. Challenges with the
door positioning on the aircraft
can be easily countered
through an EFW conversion, says Birke. “The reason why only we
offer the A320 is because of the Airbus support in relocating the
AOA sensor. Without OEM data you can’t do it.”
He adds: “The position of the main deck cargo door of the
A320 is exactly the same as on the A321. So, the crucial thing is
the fact that there is the original AOA sensor in the left hand
fuselage, where the cargo door is being installed.”
What is more difficult to re-engineer with the A320 and A321
is the GSE demands, adds Birke. “Handlers switching from Boeing
to Airbus narrow-body freighters will need investments in
container highloaders for the lower cargoes, in order to load and
unload the lower containerised decks. It will take time to convince
customers but as soon as you have one Airbus, whether it’s an
A320 or A321, then you can add more types.”
All of which leaves prospective new airline entrants with a
tantalising proposition when considering the conversions market.
More aircraft variants to choose from, at lower prices than ever,
and servicing in-demand air cargo.
“Don’t expect to get rich quick” seems to be one pearl
of wisdom gleaned from the conversions experts. Procuring a
minimum of three dedicated aircraft in your freighter business
EFW’s latest A330-300 P2F conversion, with
Airbus A321 and A320 also joining the portfolio
unit with an 80% load factor or
better to achieve economies of
scale is another.
And then, if you have the
patience and the pragmatism,
diversification will pay long term
dividends. It might not happen
in time to rescue your bottom
line from this pandemic, but it
could well save you from the
next.
“Why not use the time now,
amid this crisis, to investigate:
what are my opportunities and
options for the future?” concludes
Birke.
“Maybe those who never
thought about having dedicated
freighters in their fleet can look at
the market opportunity in cargo.
There’s room for everyone.”
GHI Stakeholders’ Conference 6TH AFRICAN
NEW
DATES!
26-27 January 2021
Century City Conference Centre CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
to fi nd out more visit: african.groundhandling.com
26 June 2020 www.airlogisticsinternational.com
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