BBAM to lease two Airbus A321P2F to Lufthansa Cargo
The A321P2F will offer customers in the eCommerce segment fast intra-European connections. With this the company is meeting their customers' growing demand for same-day solutions and further strengthening its dense network of global connections as well as its product offering.
BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM) and Lufthansa Cargo sign an agreement to lease two Airbus A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft on long-term leases. The Airbus A321P2F aircraft will be leased to Lufthansa Cargo on long-term leases from BBAM.
In July this year, Lufthansa Cargo had announced that the company will offer its customers additional capacity in Europe from the beginning of 2022 by permanently converting Airbus 321 passenger aircraft into freighters. This new agreement is the first step towards its commitment.
The A321P2F will offer customers in the eCommerce segment fast intra-European connections. With this the company is meeting their customers' growing demand for same-day solutions and further strengthening its dense network of global connections as well as its product offering.
“Partnering with BBAM on these converted freighters gives the former passenger aircraft a second life and enables us to offer our customers the much-needed additional capacity in Europe,” said Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. “The A321P2F offers unique benefits, including increased cargo capacity, best-in-class economics, reduced weight, and a lower carbon footprint, providing us with a great deal of flexibility in managing freight.”
In an episode of Cargo Mastermind by STAT Media Group, Boxberg spoke about the new agreement.
The growth for cross-border eCommerce shipments is forecast at around 20 percent per year for the next five years. Consumers expect ever shorter delivery times for their ordered goods. This is also increasing the demand for air freight connections within Europe.
Also Read: BBAM and EFW sign agreement for Airbus A320/A321P2F Conversion
The selected aircraft type can transport more than 28t of gross payload per flight, significantly larger cargo volumes than in the short-haul bellies of passenger aircraft. Lufthansa CityLine on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo will operate the two aircraft, which will be stationed in Frankfurt.
“We are glad to provide Lufthansa Cargo with a new tool to help maximize its cargo operations,” said Steve Zissis, President and Chief Executive Officer of BBAM. “We see new life for our A321s as converted freighters that are highly efficient and offer many benefits for cargo operations. BBAM has become a leader in the converted freighter market as we look to offer our airline clients and investors with a new solution to maximize value.”
The A321P2F (solution of EFW) provides a payload-range capability that can carry up to 28 metric tons. It offers 14 full container positions on the main deck, plus the unique A320 family container (up to 10 container positions) and pallet loading capability on the lower deck. The A321P2F offers the largest usable cargo volume of its category and generation. Optimized weight distribution is allowing empty flights and random loading, providing the full range of flexibility which is a huge added value for express carriers. A Holistic System Integration of freighter related cockpit indications and warnings into the original Airbus software and hardware is ensuring an efficient and seamless aircraft operation.
