Airfreight will represent an increasing part of global freight transport services: In the next two decades, the average annual growth of world wide air freight is forecasted with 6 %. The world freighter fleet is predicted to more than double as air freight will more than triple. More than 3000 additional freighters will be needed to accommodate traffic growth and to allow fleet renewal - three quarters of this demand will be satisfied by the conversion of mid-life passenger aircraft. The conversion of passenger aircraft into freighters offers an economic alternative to the purchase of new freighter aircraft.
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Within EADS, EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH) is the center of competence for the conversion of Airbus passenger to freighter conversion. Since mid-1996, Airbus A300 and A310 aircraft have been converted into freighters at Elbe Flugzeugwerke in accordance with a concept developed by the former DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH, now Airbus Deutschland GmbH. Elbe Flugzeugwerke are the market leader in this segment.
The conversion itself takes approximately four months: after removal of all structural and system components that are no longer needed such as seats or floor structures, the new freighter kits are installed. These conversion kits consist of a cargo door which is 141 inch wide and 101 inch high, and the related structural parts. The cabin floor designed for passengers is replaced by a new floor structure with higher strength. Ball mats and roller tracks for loading of containers complement the conversion of the floor structure. Necessary adjustments and completions of the aircraft systems are carried out. Finally, system tests are performed. After customer inspection and acceptance flight, the conversion work is documented and the aircraft handed over to the customer.
The conversion kits only contain original components (OEM, i.e. Original Equipment Manufacturer) from the corresponding Airbus freighter production.
The freighter conversions performed by EADS EFW combine the advantages of a low empty weight with the resulting possibility to increase the useful load. The use of widebody aircraft - aircraft with a large fuselage cross-section - guarantees a high degree of economic efficiency by combining excellent freight volume and quick cargo handling: They provide sufficient space for standard containers and pallets in the main and underfloor cargo compartments.
On customer request, maintenance and modifications are carried out at EADS EFW along with the conversion. For more than 30 years, services for a great variety of different aircraft systems have been provided in Dresden, cooperating closely with the design and manufacturing organizations. These long years of experience ensure customer-oriented and competent service.
