Press Release

EFW and Tianjin Haite signed agreement on A321P2F conversion

EFW and Tianjin Haite have signed a framework agreement for cooperation on A321 P2F conversion.

Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) and Tianjin Haite Aircraft Engineering Co., LTD. (Tianjin Haite) signed an agreement on the cooperation framework for A321 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversions at the Paris-Le Bourget International Air and Space Exhibition in Paris, France on 21 June 2023. EFW and Tianjin had in February this year announced the entering of an LOI for a collaboration in A321P2F.

The signing of the agreement between EFW and Tianjin Haite, is a major step towards a mutually beneficial collaboration between the two parties and is ensuring the induction of the first aircraft in August of 2023 at Haite in Tianjin to execute the cargo conversion.

EFW is the center of excellence for Airbus freighter conversions and the only company offering OEM data-based conversion solutions. EFW’s new generation Airbus P2F wide body and narrow body conversion programs were developed in collaboration with ST Engineering and Airbus, with EFW holding the Supplemental Type Certificates and leading in the overall program. To meet the demand for Airbus freighter conversions, EFW set up several conversion sites worldwide, including in China to ramp up total conversion capacity for all the Airbus P2F programs.

Tianjin Haite was established in 2009, focusing on B737NG series and A320 family heavy maintenance, modification, and other maintenance business, and is the only domestic MRO that possesses CAAC and FAA approvals on B737-700 and B737-800 BDSF passenger to cargo conversion capabilities. At present, Tianjin Haite has completed 11 B737NG cargo conversion project to various domestic and foreign freighter companies, and has received good feedback from customers.

Tianjin Haite has a mature and experienced work force in passenger cargo conversion. The cooperation will certainly further improve Haite’s process and specialization in two types of narrow body passenger cargo conversion and provide better conversion services to more customers globally.

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About

Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus, combines various aviation and technology activities under a single roof: development and manufacturing of fibre-reinforced composite components for aircraft structures and interiors of the entire Airbus family, the conversion of passenger aircraft into freighter configuration, maintenance and repair of Airbus aircraft as well as engineering services in the context of certification and approval. The company has a workforce of over 2,000 employees, achieved revenues of approximately €400 million in 2022 and is on a sustainable course of growth. With over 20 years of experience and more than 40 conversion customers worldwide, thereof the largest Express carriers in North America and Europe but also renowned General Freight and Combination Carriers, EFW is the Centre of Excellence for freighter conversions and driving the development of the Airbus freighter family.

ST Engineering is a global technology, defence and engineering group with a diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defence and public security segments. The Group harnesses technology and innovation to solve real-world problems, enabling a more secure and sustainable world. Headquartered in Singapore, it has operations spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S., serving customers in more than 100 countries. ST Engineering reported revenue of $9b in FY2022 and ranks among the largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. It is a component stock of the FTSE Straits Times Index, Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index, iEdge SG ESG Transparency Index and iEdge SG ESG Leaders Index.

Sichuan Haite Hi-Tech is the first publicly listed private enterprise in China offering MRO service solutions in civil aviation engineering and technologies, with products and services network covering multiple countries and regions such as China, U.S., Singapore, France, Ireland and Indonesia. The A321P2F conversions under the partnership with EFW will be performed by its subsidiary Tianjin Haite, which is a narrow body airframe MRO facility based in Tianjin, China. Certified by CAAC, FAA and EASA, Tianjin Haite offers heavy maintenance, repainting and modifications services on both, Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft having accomplished numerous freighter conversions for international customers.

Media Contacts

Anke Lemke

Head of Communications
Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH

Tel:+49 351 8839 2516Email:anke.lemke@efw.aero