Germany and China 12 November 2024. 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 programmes.

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.

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