newstodate.aero
Dec 12, 2011 (newstodate): In June 2011, Airbus took the airfreight industry by surprise by scrapping plans, already well advanced, for conversion of Airbus A320 passenger aircraft to freighters.
Launch carrier was to be West Atlantic that planned to take delivery of its first converted A320 freighter by the end of 2012.
-The Airbus A320 P2F program was based on the availability of a substantial number of early-production A320 aircraft suitable for cargo conversion, says Alan Pardoe, Airbus Head of Marketing Communications.
-It turned out, however, not to be the case. A large number of Boeing 737 Classic aircraft and MD-80s are being retired from the market and increasingly replaced by Airbus A320 aircraft, sustaining high residual value for even early units of this type.
-Also the highly volatile development in the air cargo business made continued investments in the A320 P2F program less attractive, leading Airbus to decide on the cancellation of the program.
-It should also be noted that freighter aircraft operate far fewer rotations than passenger aircraft, often flying only two to three hours per day, making the issue of capital investments even more crucial for carriers. Aircraft with lower residual values, like the Boeing 737 Classic and MD-80 aircraft are thus more prone to conversion.
-But the converted Airbus A320 would certainly make a splendid freighter, and the program may be revived as conditions allow in the future, says Mr Pardoe.
Launch carrier was to be West Atlantic that planned to take delivery of its first converted A320 freighter by the end of 2012.
-The Airbus A320 P2F program was based on the availability of a substantial number of early-production A320 aircraft suitable for cargo conversion, says Alan Pardoe, Airbus Head of Marketing Communications.
-It turned out, however, not to be the case. A large number of Boeing 737 Classic aircraft and MD-80s are being retired from the market and increasingly replaced by Airbus A320 aircraft, sustaining high residual value for even early units of this type.
-Also the highly volatile development in the air cargo business made continued investments in the A320 P2F program less attractive, leading Airbus to decide on the cancellation of the program.
-It should also be noted that freighter aircraft operate far fewer rotations than passenger aircraft, often flying only two to three hours per day, making the issue of capital investments even more crucial for carriers. Aircraft with lower residual values, like the Boeing 737 Classic and MD-80 aircraft are thus more prone to conversion.
-But the converted Airbus A320 would certainly make a splendid freighter, and the program may be revived as conditions allow in the future, says Mr Pardoe.