New conversion programs to shake up market for cargo loading systems?

With A320-family and 777 passenger-to-freighter conversion programs being develop ed by a number of different STC holders, the market for cargo loading systems (CLS) could see somewhat of a shakeup. At present, just a handful of companies manufacture maindeck CLS for freighter conversion – a situation that is not expected to change. New conversion programs, however, offer a chance of market share redistribution for the CLS market for both narrowbody and widebody conversions. The chart gives an overview of the current market in terms of the various CLS offered on active conversion programs. U . S . -based Ancra International currently offers the broadest portfolio of systems for the current generation of freighter-converted aircraft. With the previous generation of narrowbody conversions, Ancra held a near-monopoly position as the sole provider of CLS for some aircraft types. Enter Airbus conversions While the previous generation of narrowbody conversions was all- Boeing (737-300s, -400s and 757-200s), Airbus -family narrowbody freighters will hit the market beginning next year , with two A321-200 passenger-to-freighter conversion programs hav ing already inducted a n a ircraft and cut metal: Elbe Flugzeugwerke ( EFW ), the 55/45 joint venture between ST Engineering Aerospace and Airbus, and 321 Precision Conversions , a JV between Precision Aircraft Solutions and Air Transport Services Group (ATSG). Ancra is actively developing systems for both A320 and A321-200 P2F programs, but so too are other CLS providers. Germany-based Telair International , which did not develop a system for the previous generation of narrowbody conversions, sees the A320-family platform as an opportunity for Telair to break Ancra’s near-monopoly. The company is expecting certification of its mechanical maindeck and powered lower deck system or bulk system for the A321P2F in the first quarter of 2020. The company is also working on a mechanical maindeck system for the A320P2F. Widebody systems Historically, market share for widebody CLS has been split among multiple system manufacturers. While this may remain true for medium-widebody freighters, it may not be the case for the next generation of large-widebody freighters. Following the launch of the 777-300ERSF by Israel Aerospace Industries ( IAI ) and GECAS at this year’s Cargo Facts Symposium, we finally have a new large - widebody conversion program. The aircraft, with up to a total of 47 positions, represents a new platform on which a maindeck CLS must be installed. While the conformity frame for the 777-300ERSF program is currently still on lease to Emirates from GECAS and isn’t due to be inducted anytime soon, Cargo Facts believes that IAI will choose a CLS provider very shortly. Ancra told Cargo Facts that it was “absolutely” interested in the 777-300ERSF and that it is competing for the contract . At the same time, Telair International and U.S. Cargo Systems also have the capability to develop a system for the 777-300ERSF and have submitted proposals to IAI. Although the A321F and 777-300ERSF both represent completely new freighter platforms , the CLS that will eventually end up on their maindecks won’t be too different from those installed on other aircraft types. According to Telair, rather than a radical change to the materials and the designs , any innovation is made through small improvements to details and processes , such as figuring out how to make components more lightweight and introducing more electronics. Telair has also introduced what it calls ModCar , a modular cargo system that provides flexibility by allowing operators to quickly switch between a bulk loading system and one for containerized cargo on the lower deck . While such a product is seen as a good fit for large carrier groups with multiple lower-deck configurations, a strong case has not yet surfaced for adopting the system on a converted freighter. Join us Feb. 3-5 for Cargo Facts EMEA 2020, the event serving as an international platform providing attendees with a direct connection to leading EMEA innovation executives. Save up to $200 when you register before Dec. 13. To register and for more information about the event, visit www.cargofactsemea.com .

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