EFW secures launch contract for A321P2F conversion from Vallair

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the joint venture between ST Aerospace and Airbus, announced today that it has secured a launch contract from Vallair Solutions Sàrl (Vallair) for its A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion solution. The Germany-based aerospace company will convert 10 A321-200 passenger aircraft to a 14-pallet cargo configuration for Vallair. The first aircraft will be inducted in the last quarter of 2018, scheduled for redelivery by end of 2019.

Gregoire Lebigot, President and CEO of Vallair, commented: “My personal history with the A321 goes way back to the start of my career with Air France when it first introduced this aircraft in its fleet. At Vallair, through years of trading and supporting the A320 Family, we have built a solid technical competence on this aircraft type. Today, we see a huge potential in the A321 P2F, not only as a replacement of the B757F, but as a key tool for the cargo industry to achieve the projected growth rate of the air freight market in general – in particular driven by express services and e-commerce. The A321 P2F will be the first aircraft to introduce a containerized lower deck to the market segment of narrow body freighters: a significant game changer for any hub and spoke operation."

Christopher Buckley, Airbus Executive Vice President, Europe, Africa and Pacific said: “We are delighted to see the A320/A321 P2F project – the only A320 Family freighter conversion programme co-developed with Airbus – move up a gear with this important order from Vallair. This milestone affirms our view, coupled with the positive feedback from the market, that the A321P2F is the only viable successor to the 757 freighter over the coming years.”

Dr. Andreas Sperl, CEO of EFW said: “We are pleased to have Vallair as our launch customer for our A321P2F solution, which we believe will play a lead role in the narrow body freighter segment. Together with our parent company, ST Aerospace and its global network of maintenance facilities, we are confident we will achieve the high standards of service we have demonstrated over the years on all of our other conversion programs, and deliver to Vallair its A321P2F aircraft, on time and budget, to their full satisfaction.”

Mr. Lim Serh Ghee, President of ST Aerospace said: “As the e-commerce and express market continue to grow, our investments in new freighter conversion programs will allow us to seize the opportunities created by the uptick in freighter demand.  While offering a strong proposition with its unique container position in the lower deck, the A321P2F will also complement our other freighter solutions such as the mid-sized A330P2F program, to provide customers with a range of options to select from in support of their diverse operational needs.”

The A321 & A320 P2F conversion programs, launched in 2015, are the result of a collaboration between ST Aerospace, Airbus and EFW. ST Aerospace is responsible for the engineering development phase, up to the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Airbus contributes to the program with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) data and certification support, while EFW leads the overall program and marketing & sales.

The A321P2F conversion program is the first in its size category to offer containerized loading in both the main deck (up to 14 container positions) and lower deck (up to 10 container positions). With a generous payload-range capability that can carry up to 27.9 metric tons over 2,300 nautical miles, the A321P2F is the ideal narrow-body freighter aircraft for express domestic and regional operations.

Other P2F solutions that ST Aerospace and EFW have in their family of Airbus freighters include the A330 which has two variants – the A330-200P2F and the larger A330-300P2F. EFW redelivered the first A330-300 freighter in December 2017 following the successful completion of test flights in October and awarding of the Supplemental Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency in November.

EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH) is a 55:45 joint venture of ST Aerospace and Airbus, based in Dresden, Germany.  EFW combines various aviation and technology activities under one roof, including passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions, maintenance and repair of Airbus aircraft, and the development and manufacturing of flat fibre-reinforced composite components for structures and interiors of the entire Airbus family of aircraft. Apart from being the exclusive supplier for composite flat panels to Airbus for all Airbus aircraft, EFW serves as ST Aerospace’s centre for passenger-to-freighter conversions, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), as well as engineering services in Europe, leveraging ST Aerospace’s global network, track record and expertise in aircraft MRO and engineering. Visit us at www.efw.aero.

ST Aerospace (Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd) is the aerospace arm of ST Engineering with revenue of S$2.49b in FY2016. Operating a global MRO network with facilities and affiliates in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, it is the world’s largest commercial airframe MRO provider with a global customer base that includes leading airlines, airfreight and military operators. ST Aerospace is an integrated service provider that offers a spectrum of maintenance and engineering services that include airframe, engine and component maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering design and technical services; and aviation materials and asset management services, including Total Aviation Support. ST Aerospace has global staff strength of around 8,000 employees worldwide. Please visit www.stengg.com/en/aerospace for more information.

Vallair is a strong aviation company with uniquely integrated capabilities in support of mature aircraft, engines and major components. With six complementary business units (trading & leasing, aircraft teardown, aircraft MRO and paint, engines, aerostructures, and cargo conversions), Vallair offers aircraft operators and owners around the world cost effective solutions to extend the life of their assets. Since established in 2003 the company has experienced an accelerated growth, employing over 150 staff across its three office locations. Its innovative approach to aviation services transformed Vallair’s business model into a unique and robust platform in the aviation industry with the vision to continue its ambitions even further. Vallair’s Cargo Conversion Business Unit focuses on providing ‘Turn Key Solutions’ for the conversion of passenger aircraft into cargo. Whilst screening the market for potential conversion candidates, Vallair performs thorough technical assessment of each potential candidate, purchases and finances the conversion projects, manages and oversees the conversion process whilst being performed by one of our global conversion design partners. More information can be found on the company’s website at www.vallair.aero

AIRBUS is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of €67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats and business aviation products. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Media Contacts:

Huan Yuan SAY 
AVP, Corporate Communications
ST Engineering
Tel: (65) 6722 1678
Email:  say.huanyuan@stengg.com

Christopher PROFITLICH
Head of Communications & Political Affairs
EFW
Mobile: (49) 171 557 2188
Email: christopher.profitlich@efw.aero

Alexandra SLABUTU
Executive Assistant to the President and CEO
Vallair
Tel: (352) 661707058
Email: alexandra@vallair.aero