Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has announced its third major partnership within a week, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HNA Aviation Group to support HNA’s Grand China Aircraft Maintenance Services (GCAM) in converting Airbus A330 passenger aircraft into freighters (A330P2F). The MoU, signed at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo in Zhuhai City on November 12, aims to strengthen EFW’s conversion capabilities in China, enhancing its reach in the fast-growing Chinese air cargo market.
Under the agreement, EFW will assist GCAM with the conversion of an initial batch of A330 aircraft from HNA’s current fleet. The first conversion is set to begin at EFW’s Shanghai facility in the first half of 2025, with the potential for an additional aircraft conversion in the second half of the year. Future conversions in this batch will take place at GCAM’s new facility at Haikou’s Meilan International Airport once it becomes operational.
This partnership expands EFW’s existing network in China, where it already operates three modification sites as part of its global freighter conversion programme. EFW, a joint venture of ST Engineering and Airbus, brings extensive expertise in passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, component manufacturing for Airbus aircraft, and MRO services, supporting over 40 global conversion customers, including major express and freight carriers in North America and Europe.
EFW’s CEO, Jordi Boto, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “We look forward to working with our latest strategic partner to tap the growing Chinese market and beyond, and to better support the global demand for air cargo with our widebody P2F solution.” HNA’s chairman, Ding Yongzheng, also highlighted the growing demand for long-range wide-body freighters driven by global logistics recovery and cross-border e-commerce growth.
This announcement comes as EFW celebrates a series of recent milestones. Just yesterday, EFW redelivered its 100th converted aircraft, an A330P2F from its Chinese facility, marking a key achievement in its conversion program. EFW also recently formalized a partnership with MRO Japan (MJP), which will support third-party conversion services for EFW’s Airbus A320/A321 P2F programmes.
With these recent developments, EFW continues to expand its capacity and strategic partnerships, positioning itself to meet the rising demand for converted freighters in both the Chinese market and globally.