The first Airbus A330-300 P2F converted in China was supplied by CDB Aviation and accepted by Sichuan Airlines. The transformation was accomplished by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH («EFW») and Shanghai Technologies Aerospace Company Limited («STARCO») at their Shanghai Pudong facilities.
Equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the freighter officially joined Sichuan Airlines’ fleet on May 15, 2023. Beyond this A330 P2F, CDB Aviation leases two A320 aircraft to the airline.
CEO of CDB Aviation, Jie Chen, shared, «This delivery marks a significant milestone for Sichuan Airlines and China, a result of diligent effort and collaboration, materializing in the arrival of the country’s first A330 P2F.»
Chen also noted Sichuan Airlines’ trust in CDB Aviation, «Their faith in us allows us to back their innovative fleet strategy. This aircraft will serve as a valuable addition to their fleet as they continue to cater to China’s rapidly growing air cargo market.»
The Airbus A330-300 P2F sees robust demand in the market, showing notable growth over the past year. Since CDB Aviation introduced the leasing option for these aircraft, it has contracted 14 conversions with EFW.
Zuyi Shi, CEO of Sichuan Airlines, expressed, «We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with CDB Aviation. The introduction of this A330 P2F will provide us with increased cargo capacity, meeting market needs and reinforcing our development strategy in the cargo business.»
Jordi Boto, CEO of Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, shared his perspective, «Offering conversions in China, in response to the growing demand in this market, was a strategic decision for EFW. We are pleased to have successfully embarked on this journey alongside CDB Aviation, our first client with A330 P2F conversions on three continents, and are profoundly grateful for their trust.»
