Press ReleaseEFW and HNA Aviation Group sign cooperation agreement on A330P2F conversions
Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), Centre of Excellence for Airbus Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversions and joint venture of ST Engineering and Airbus, and HNA Aviation Group Co., Ltd. (HNA Aviation Group), today announced the signing of an MOU which covers a strategic cooperation framework agreement for A330P2F conversions. HNA Aviation Group, controlled by Fangda group, is a leading aviation player in China, fully operating air passenger and air cargo transportation, general aviation, maintenance, flight training and subsidiaries related to airlines business. The agreement was signed at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo in Zhuhai City.
Under the agreement, EFW will support Grand China Aircraft Maintenance Services (GCAM), a subsidiary of HNA Aviation Group, with A330P2F conversions and in the setting up of A330P2F capabilities at the latter’s aerospace facility in Meilan International Airport, Haikou. The collaboration will allow EFW to expand its presence and partner network in China, where it currently has three modification sites for its freighter conversion programs.
EFW and HNA Aviation Group will commence their collaboration by converting an initial batch of A330 aircraft from HNA Aviation Group’s A330 fleet. The first conversion is scheduled to take place at EFW’s conversion facility in Shanghai in the first half of 2025 with an option to continue with a second aircraft in the second half. The remaining aircraft of the batch will be converted at GCAM’s site after its conversion facility has been set up.
“We are happy to enter into an agreement on A330P2F conversion with HNA Aviation Group, one of the largest aviation groups in China,” said Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW. “We look forward to working with our latest strategic partner to tap the growing Chinese market and beyond, and to better support the growing global demand for air cargo with our widebody P2F solution.”
Ding Yongzheng, Chairman of HNA Aviation Group, stated that with the rapid recovery of the global aviation logistics market and the booming development of cross-border e-commerce business, the demand for long-range wide-body freighters is increasing. HNA Aviation Group has been operating the A330 fleet on a large scale for many years, with a solid operational foundation. The cooperation with EFW is a cornerstone in achieving mutual benefits, bringing new opportunities and added value to the aviation market.
EFW and HNA top management at the signing of the new agreement hosted by Airbus China at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo.
About
Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a subsidiary of ST Engineering and Airbus combines various aviation and technology activities under a single roof: development and manufacturing of fibre-reinforced composite components for aircraft structures and interiors of the entire Airbus family, the conversion of passenger aircraft into freighter configuration, maintenance and repair of Airbus aircraft as well as engineering services in the context of certification and approval. The company has a workforce of over 2,000 employees, achieved revenues of approximately €600 million in 2023 and is on a sustainable course of growth. With over 20 years of experience and more than 40 conversion customers worldwide, thereof the largest Express carriers in North America and Europe but also renowned General Freight and Combination Carriers, EFW is the Centre of Excellence for freighter conversions and driving the development of the Airbus freighter family.
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ST Engineering is a global technology, defence and engineering group with a diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defence and public security segments. The Group harnesses technology and innovation to solve real-world problems, enabling a more secure and sustainable world. Headquartered in Singapore, it has operations spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S., serving customers in more than 100 countries. ST Engineering reported revenue of over $10b in FY2023 and ranks among the largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. It is a component stock of MSCI Singapore, FTSE Straits Times Index and Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index.
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