Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has re-delivered its tenth A330-300P2F (passenger-to-freighter) aircraft to DHL Express – in time for the Asian high season for e-commerce and cargo demand.

DHL Express is the launch customer for EFW’s A330-300P2F programme, and is currently the biggest operator of the A330-300P2F fleet. Eight more aircraft on firm order are to be redelivered by EFW progressively in the coming years.

Together with partner airlines EAT, ASL and Air Hong Kong, DHL Express is operating its A330-300P2F fleet in Europe and Asia as well as on transatlantic flights from Leipzig/Germany to the US.

“DHL Express is delighted to welcome the tenth A330-300 P2F to its aircraft family,” said Malcolm Macbeth, senior vice president global network management DHL. “Since becoming the first operator to take delivery of the A330-300 P2F in 2017, the aircraft has proven to be ideally suited to short- and mid-range sectors in Asia Pacific and Europe.

“The aircraft delivered today is the youngest aircraft, we have converted to date and we are excited to see it serve our customers in Asia from 2023 onwards.”

EFW’s CEO Jordi Boto commented: “EFW has been a trusted converted freighter solution provider for DHL and its network partners for decades. Our tenth re-delivery of an A330-300P2F to DHL is an important milestone for our A330P2F programme and longstanding partnership with DHL. We are very happy to be supporting DHL’s operational needs throughout these years, and are fully committed to helping them grow their new-generation Airbus freighter fleet further with our A330P2F programme.”

EFW’s A330P2F programme is developed in collaboration with ST Engineering and Airbus, with EFW holding the Supplemental Type Certificate and leading in the overall programme as well as marketing and sales efforts.

The A330P2F programme comes with two variants – the A330-200P2F and A330-300P2F.

ST Engineering and EFW have conversion sites in Singapore, Germany, the US, and China. To meet the rising demand for freighter conversions, ST Engineering and EFW said they would work with third party conversion houses with facilities in Turkey and China to support the A330P2F programme.