On December 15, 2023, Air China Cargo received its first A330-200P2F. Before being converted to a freighter by EWF, the aircraft served hauled passengers for Air China. Continue reading to learn more. Air China Cargo Receives Its First A330P2F...
On December 15, 2023, Air China Cargo received its first A330-200P2F. Before being converted to a freighter by EWF, the aircraft served hauled passengers for Air China.
Continue reading to learn more.
Air China Cargo’s first A330-200P2F. (Credit: EFW)
Air China Cargo Receives Its First A330P2F
In April 2023, it was reported that as part of fleet optimization, Air China will transfer eight A330-200s from its passenger to cargo division by 2025 at 14.7 million dollars per airframe and convert them to freighters. The eight airframes to be converted were manufactured between 2006 and 2008.
Germany’s EFW is responsible for the conversions. The conversion work itself is being done by AMECO (Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering Corporation) in Chengdu.
On December 15, 2023, the first converted A330 was handed over to Air China Cargo. Before flying to Chengdu for conversion in January 2023, the aircraft flew for Air China as a passenger A330-200 for over 15 years. It was delivered to the airline brand new in September 2007.
Another airframe to be converted – B-6091 – flew to Chengdu back in September 2023. The remaining six airframes (B-6070, B-6071, B-6072, B-6081, B-6092, and B-6093) are still operating on Air China’s scheduled (mainly domestic) passenger flights.
B-6090 back when it was still operating passenger flights.
Air China Cargo Expanding Its Fleet
Rather than replacing existing Air China Cargo aircraft, the A330-200P2Fs will be used to expand the airline’s capacity. It was reported that the airline planning to add at least 12 widebody freighters to its fleet by the end of 2025. While eight of those are the A330-200P2Fs, it is unclear what the remaining four or more would be.
Adding 12 new aircraft to its fleet would double Air China Cargo’s aircraft number. Currently, the airline operates three Boeing 747-400Fs and nine Boeing 777Fs.
The 747-400F is the largest aircraft type in Air China Cargo’s fleet.
The majority of Air China Cargo’s fleet consists of the 777F.
Air China Cargo also has four Boeing 757-200 freighters. None of those are flying, though, and it was reported earlier this month that the airline is seeking to sell them. Once it succeeds in doing so, its fleet will consist exclusively of widebody aircraft.
Air China Cargo is in the process of selling its 757s.
Summary
In an effort to expand its freighter fleet, Air China announced it will transfer eight aging A330-200s from its passenger division to Air China Cargo. All of the aircraft will be converted by EFW and AMECO to freighters by the end of 2025.
So far, the first aircraft has been converted and another one is in the process of being converted. The remaining six airframes still fly for Air China as passenger aircraft.
The first A330-200P2F, registered B-6090, joined Air China Cargo’s fleet of 12 Boeing aircraft including three 747s and nine 777s.
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