Development of rebuilt narrow-body aircraft

Global e-commerce is set to grow by 38 percent over the next five years, reaching a staggering $8 trillion by 2028. This seismic shift is not just affecting widebody segments connecting major manufacturing facilities in Asia to Europe and North America, as evidenced by National Airlines’ 777F orders at the Farnborough Airshow. It’s also affecting a key new segment of an emerging industry driven by the unstoppable force of e-commerce: single-aisle aircraft.

The development of single-aisle converter aircraft is a significant event in the air transport industry. This trend is changing the shape of the industry and influencing future strategies and decisions.

Traditionally, air freight has been dominated by wide-body aircraft connecting hotspots on different continents. However, recent events such as the Dubai Airshow in 2023 and this year’s Farnborough Airshow have brought a new trend: the growing popularity of used converted freighters, marking a significant change for the industry, particularly in the short-haul segment.

Debut of the E190F

Embraer showcased an impressive line-up of aircraft at the recently concluded Farnborough Airshow 2024. Highlights included the well-known C390 strategic transport aircraft and the E190-E2, its latest fuel-efficient flagship aircraft. However, the main focus was the debut of Embraer’s first ever converted freighter, the E190F, which was displayed at the airshow.

The E190F concept emerged from discussions among industry participants who noticed a trend of airlines retiring their E190 E1 aircraft in favor of more modern and fuel-efficient models. In addition, the growing influence of e-commerce executives at the Brazilian OEM led to the conclusion that the retired E1 aircraft could be repurposed as efficient delivery aircraft to meet the growing demand of e-commerce.

The E190F is designed to integrate seamlessly into freighter fleets, offering additional capacity and complementing other aircraft such as the smaller ATR72-500/600F and 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 FLY

Airbus Offer

The Airbus A321P2F and A320P2F aircraft were showcased at the Airbus stand at Dubai Airshow 2023 to introduce new customers to the European giant’s range of cargo aircraft.

Airbus initiated a single-aisle aircraft conversion programme due to insufficient market demand for wide-body aircraft such as the A330-200F and A330P2F.

Currently, there are single-aisle cargo aircraft available, but they often have limitations. For example, models like the ATR are smaller, while options like the 737-800BCF offer only one version.

However, the European manufacturer decided to tackle these constraints by introducing a new line of models in different sizes, such as the A320 and A321P2F.

The A321P2F offers the added benefit of a large cargo door that is designed to accommodate standard containers. This design allows cargo airlines to seamlessly transfer cargo from their larger long-haul fleet to their single-aisle aircraft.

READ: EMBRAER ENTERS AIR TRANSPORT MARKET WITH E190F AND E195F P2FS AIRCRAFT

An increasingly important role

The expansion of single-aisle cargo aircraft programmes represents a significant step forward for the air transport industry, driven by the growing influence of e-commerce and changing market demands.

The debut of aircraft such as the Embraer E190F at this year’s Farnborough Airshow, and the introduction of the Airbus A320P2F and A321P2F at the Dubai Airshow the year before, show how manufacturers are innovating to meet the changing 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 supporting the growing demands of e-commerce logistics.

The advent of single-aisle freighters is transforming the industry, offering airlines more versatile and cost-effective solutions to meet the demands of air cargo transportation in an expanding global market.