newstodate.aero
May 24, 2006 (newstodate): The residual value of the A320-family aircraft remains so high as to render cargo conversions a theme of the future.
-The market requests any available A320-family aircraft that can possible be traced, and only few of the aircraft now operating are nearing a D-check scenario, says Stuart Mann, Airbus director product marketing A320 Family.
-With our recent LoI with Russian partners we are positioning ourselves in a future market, where conversion may become a viable option in, say, some five years time.
-Visions are for Airbus to retain responsibility for the general design and certification of A320 converted freighters, while EADS will focus on design of the maindeck cargo design. Our Russian partners will then become responsible for dealing with the A320 primary structures, production of A320 P2F conversion kits, and the eventual cargo conversion.
-The whole operation hinges on a future development where the residual value of the oldest aircraft may render a conversion to freighters a profitable option.
-On the other hand, we have seen with the B4 program that the mere marketing of a conversion program may actually increase the residual value of the passenger aircraft, and I would not be surprised to see the same thing happening to the A320-family, says Mr Mann.
-The market requests any available A320-family aircraft that can possible be traced, and only few of the aircraft now operating are nearing a D-check scenario, says Stuart Mann, Airbus director product marketing A320 Family.
-With our recent LoI with Russian partners we are positioning ourselves in a future market, where conversion may become a viable option in, say, some five years time.
-Visions are for Airbus to retain responsibility for the general design and certification of A320 converted freighters, while EADS will focus on design of the maindeck cargo design. Our Russian partners will then become responsible for dealing with the A320 primary structures, production of A320 P2F conversion kits, and the eventual cargo conversion.
-The whole operation hinges on a future development where the residual value of the oldest aircraft may render a conversion to freighters a profitable option.
-On the other hand, we have seen with the B4 program that the mere marketing of a conversion program may actually increase the residual value of the passenger aircraft, and I would not be surprised to see the same thing happening to the A320-family, says Mr Mann.