Global e-commerce is set to surge by 38 percent over the next five years, reaching a staggering US$8 trillion by 2028. This seismic shift is not just about widebody segments connecting the main manufacturing plants in Asia to Europe and North America, as evidenced by the orders from National Airlines for 777Fs at the Farnborough Airshow. It’s also about a new key segment of the emerging industry driven by the unstoppable force of e-commerce – narrowbodies.
The rise of converter narrow-bodied aircraft is a significant development in the air freight industry. This trend is reshaping the industry and influencing future strategies and decisions.
Traditionally, airfreight was dominated by widebodies connecting hotspots across continents. However, recent events such as the Dubai Airshow in 2023 and this year’s Farnborough Airshow have brought a new trend: the increasing popularity of second-hand converted freighters, marking a significant shift in the industry, particularly in the short haul segment.
E190F’s debut
Embraer showcased its impressive aircraft lineup at the recently concluded Farnborough Airshow 2024. Among the highlights were the well-known C390 strategic lift military aircraft and the E190-E2, their latest fuel-efficient flagship aircraft. However, stealing the spotlight was the debut of Embraer’s first-ever converted freighter, the E190F, prominently featured at the airshow.
The concept of the E190F originated from discussions among industry representatives, who noticed a trend of airlines phasing out their E190 E1 airplanes in favour of more modern and fuel-efficient models. Additionally, the growing influence of e-commerce executives within the Brazilian OEM led to the realisation that these retired E1 aircraft could be repurposed as efficient feeder aircraft in response to the increasing demands of e-commerce.
The E190F is designed to seamlessly integrate into freighter fleets by offering additional capacity and complementing other aircraft, such as the smaller ATR72-500/600F and the A320P2F. Its capabilities enable access to smaller airports, including London City Airport, pending regulatory approval. This will facilitate a more efficient response to the growing demand for e-commerce logistics.
READ: FIRST E190F TAKES FLIGHT
Airbus offering
The Airbus A321P2F and A320P2F were prominently showcased at the 2023 Dubai Airshow in the Airbus static area, aimed at introducing newcomers to the European giant’s cargo aircraft offerings.
Airbus initiated the converted narrowbodies programme due to the insufficient market demand for widebodies such as the A330-200F or A330P2F.
Narrowbody freight aircraft are currently available, but they often come with limitations. For instance, models such as the ATR are on the smaller side, while options like the 737-800BCF offer only a single variant.
However, the European manufacturer is addressing these limitations by introducing a new lineup that includes different sizes, notably through models like the A320 or the A321P2F.
The A321P2F offers an additional advantage with its large cargo door, which is designed to accommodate standardised containers. This design enables cargo airlines to seamlessly transfer goods from their larger long-haul fleet to the narrowbody aircraft.
READ: EMBRAER ENTERS AIRFREIGHT MARKET WITH E190F AND E195F P2FS
An increasing role
The development of narrowbody converted freighter aircraft programmes represents a significant development in the airfreight industry, driven by the growing influence of e-commerce and changing market demands.
The debut of aircraft such as the Embraer E190F at the Farnborough Airshow this year and the introduction of the Airbus A320P2F and A321P2F at the Dubai Airshow the year before demonstrate how manufacturers are innovating to meet the evolving needs of airlines and logistics companies. These converted freighters offer additional capacity, fuel efficiency, and the ability to access smaller airports, making them ideal for serving the surging demands of e-commerce logistics.
The emergence of these narrowbody freighters is reshaping the industry, providing airlines with more versatile and cost-effective solutions to meet the demands of air freight transportation in the evolving global market.
