EFW secures first A330 freighter conversion deal in China
Hengqin Winglet signs with EFW to convert A330s to freighters, starting mid-2026 in China.
During the Singapore Air Show, Hengqin Winglets and EFW signed a contract for freighter conversion. Pictured from left: Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW; James Huang from Hengqin Winglets; Lee London from EFW and Scud Wang from Hengqin Winglets.
Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture of ST Engineering and Airbus, has strengthened its presence in the Chinese aviation market by signing a freighter conversion contract with Hengqin Winglet Aircraft Technology. This marks Hengqin Winglet’s first Airbus A330 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) programme with EFW.
Under the agreement, EFW will carry out the A330P2F conversion at its partner facility in China, with work scheduled to begin in mid-2026. The process will be supported by technical planning and certification from EFW’s headquarters in Dresden, Germany.
James Huang, CEO of Hengqin Winglet, said the company was “pleased to collaborate with EFW on the conversion of our A330 aircraft into a state-of-the-art freighter,” highlighting their experience in leasing, trading and technical aircraft management.
The deal adds to EFW’s growing list of Chinese customers, a market that has been driving global freighter demand. Rapid growth in express logistics and cross-border e-commerce has led operators and lessors in the region to expand their fleets.
Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW, said: “We are excited to welcome a new customer into the EFW family of converted Airbus freighters. The A330P2F stands out as the future of the medium-sized air freighter segment, and we look forward to working with Hengqin Winglet to grow their A330P2F fleet.”