On November 7, 2024, the German passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion specialist Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) and Japan’s MRO Japan signed a partnership agreement as part of which the latter will do Airbus A320 and A321 conversions on the former’s behalf.
According to EFW’s statement, “The first aircraft induction for conversion is foreseen to commence by the end of 2025.” In the meantime, the two companies will work together on onboarding MRO Japan, which involves “involves comprehensive trainings in tooling, engineering, supply chain, industrialization, and quality.”
The firm agreement follows a memorandum of understanding the two companies signed in April 2024.
Currently, Spring Japan operates A321P2Fs that were converted in Singapore on behalf of Yamato Transport, a major Japanese delivery service. EFW sees demand for freighters in Japan increasing, stating that “Japan’s freighter and logistics market size is estimated by industry researchers to expand at a CAGR of 4.2% between 2024-2029, with air freight being the fastest growing market by mode of transport.”
The Airbus A320P2F and A321P2F conversion programs were developed by EFW together with its majority shareholder ST Engineering and with Airbus.
MRO Japan is an ANA-backed MRO services provider with a maintenance base at Naha Airport in Okinawa. In addition to working with Japanese airlines like ANA and Air Do, it also serves a number of foreign airlines. Notably, MRO Japan is the only maintenance provider in Japan that is EASA-certified.
