Airbus exits production freighters for now

Airbus’ order backlog for its only active production freighter program — the A330-200F — has now dropped to zero, after a three-unit order from Turkey-based MNG Airlines fell off the manufacturer’s latest orders and deliveries summary, released today [FATs 005864-5866]. [caption id="attachment_415203" align="alignright" width="560"] MNG Airlines has just one A330-200F in its fleet. (Photo/MNG Airlines)[/caption] With no additional aircraft on order, the program, which has not seen a new order in almost six years, is effectively terminated. Airbus does not currently have any other new-build freighters on offer and has, for now, exited the production freighter business. MNG placed a two-unit A330-200F order for the aircraft in 2007 and eventually exercised options that brought the total number of aircraft on firm order to four units. Only one aircraft (1332) was ever delivered to MNG, in 2012. The carrier has since expressed interest in freighter-converted A330s. It is unclear which party initiated the cancellation, or if MNG still intends to grow its A330P2F fleet. The carrier could not be reached for comment. As for Airbus’ future freighter plans, as of last year, the company was still considering launching freighter variants of its existing aircraft programs. The A350 and a newer variant of the A330 have been proposed to operators, but neither program has been formally launched. The increased availability of younger A330-200 and -300 feedstock as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may decrease demand for another production freighter based on the A330, sources familiar with the matter told Cargo Facts. A total of thirty-eight A330-200Fs were delivered to eight customers. In December 2019, Colombia-based Synergy Aerospace Corporation — the majority shareholder of Avianca — canceled its remaining order for one A330-200F, leaving MNG as the only customer.

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Airbus exits production freighters for now

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