Integrated aviation company AerCap Holdings N.V. (Aercap) has announced an intention to convert thirty of its older Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft from passenger to freighter versions, to capitalise on the expected demand for freighter aircraft.

The Dutch firm has contracted the EADS subsidiary Airbus Freighter  Conversions to perform the required works, with the aircraft, post conversion becoming the first Airbus A320/A321 "P2F" or Passenger to Freight  aircraft.

The Chief Executive Officer of AerCap, Klaus Heinemann, described the launch of the A320/A321 freighter conversion program as a "great opportunity for AerCap to position itself as a leasing company in the cargo market."

Also speaking on the announcement of the conversion deal, Lars Becker the Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Freighter Conversion said that the A320/A321 P2F converted freighter will meet the requirements of the growing air cargo feeder market.  Becker also pointed out that in conjunction with Airbus Freighter Conversions parent companies, the company anticipates converting about 400 aircraft into freighters until 2026.

Headquartered in the Netherlands with offices in Ireland, the United States, Singapore, China and the United Kingdom, Aercap currently lays claim to a fleet of over three-hundred aircraft.

Source: Aercap Holdings N.V.

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