EFW delivers 3rd A321 converted freighter to lessor BBAM

Conversion firm EFW has delivered its third A321 converted freighter to lessor BBAM.

EFW said the aircraft (D-AEUC) will soon make its way to Munich to enter service as Lufthansa’s first A321 freighter.

The aircraft will be flown by Lufthansa City Line on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo.

The aircraft can transport more than 28 tons of gross payload per flight “significantly larger cargo volumes than in the short-haul bellies of passenger aircraft”, BBAM said.

The model also offers 14 full-container positions on the maindeck, plus up to 10 container positions and pallet loading capability on the lower deck.

A second A321 conversion will join the Lufthansa fleet later this year.

The aircraft will be used on intra-European services and will target e-commerce volumes.

When the deal was first announced, Lufthansa Cargo pointed out that cross-border e-commerce shipments are forecast to grow by around 20% per year for the next five years.

“Consumers expect ever shorter delivery times for their ordered goods,” the cargo business said. “This is also increasing the demand for airfreight connections within Europe.”

Lufthansa Cargo chief executive Dorothea von Boxberg said: “Lufthansa Cargo wants to offer customers in the eCommerce segment fast intra-European connections. With the converted A321s, we are meeting our customers’ growing demand for same-day solutions and further strengthening our dense network of global connections as well as our product offering.

“The selected aircraft type can transport 28t per flight, significantly larger cargo volumes than in the short-haul bellies of passenger aircraft. In addition to forwarders, integrators and postal operators, e-commerce providers will be customers for this offering.”