A320 freighter line ready to roll.

Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH, located in Dresden, Germany is now operational and preparing for the start of A320 freighter conversion activities at facilities in Dresden and Lukhovitsy, near Moscow.

The company says it will announce the identity of the first customer soon. The first converted freighter aircraft is expected to roll out in 2010 at EADS EFW's conversion centre; the first converted aircraft from the Russian line is scheduled for 2011.

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The company anticipates about 400 Airbus Single Aisle aircraft conversions from 2010 to 2025.

Following the initial ramp up, an average of 30 A320 family aircraft is planned to be converted per year. During the conversion process the passenger cabin is dismantled and a new reinforced floor structure and cargo loading equipment are added. To simplify cargo loading, a large (380cm) cargo door is installed in the upper deck between frames 21 and 28.

Conversion of initial aircraft is expected to take five months, falling to three months after one year. The cost of each conversion is currently estimated at $4.5 million for an A320 and $5.05 million for an A321, to which must be added the price of the pre-owned aircraft ($10-20 million). Boeing and Airbus market forecasts predict a market for 1,100 and 1,300 aircraft, respectively, through 2025.

The foundation of the Joint Venture (UAC 25%, Irkut 25%, EADS EFW 32% and Airbus 18%) follows a Letter Of Intent signed at the ILA Airshow in Berlin, in May 2006 and an agreement signed on the sidelines of the Sankt Petersburger Dialog in October 2006 in Dresden.