Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus, has strengthened its position in China’s rapidly expanding aviation sector through a significant new agreement. The company has signed a freighter conversion contract with Hengqin Winglet Aircraft Technology, marking the lessor’s first entry into the A330 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) programme with EFW.
Under the terms of the agreement, EFW will perform the A330P2F conversion at its partner facility in China, with modification work scheduled to begin in mid-2026. The technical planning and certification processes will be supported by EFW’s headquarters in Dresden, Germany, ensuring the conversion meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
Hengqin Winglet brings considerable industry expertise to the partnership, with extensive experience in aircraft leasing, trading and technical management. “As a company with extensive expertise in leasing, trading and technical aircraft management, we are pleased to collaborate with EFW on the conversion of our A330 aircraft into a state-of-the-art freighter,” said James Huang, CEO of Hengqin Winglet.
This latest contract adds to EFW’s growing portfolio of Chinese customers, reflecting the nation’s emergence as a primary driver of global freighter demand. The Chinese market has experienced remarkable growth in express logistics and cross-border e-commerce sectors, prompting airlines and leasing companies to expand their cargo fleets significantly.
The A330P2F programme has established itself as a leading solution in the medium-sized air freighter segment, offering operators an efficient and reliable option for cargo operations. The converted aircraft provides excellent payload capacity and range capabilities, making it particularly well-suited for the demands of modern logistics networks.
Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership. “We are excited to welcome a new customer into the EFW family of converted Airbus freighters. The A330P2F stands out as the future of the medium-sized air freighter segment, and we look forward to working with Hengqin Winglet in the near future to grow their A330P2F fleet.”
The collaboration represents another milestone in EFW’s strategic expansion within China, strengthening the company’s position in one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets. As e-commerce continues to drive demand for air cargo capacity, converted freighters offer an economical and sustainable solution for fleet modernisation.
With work scheduled to commence in 2026, both companies are positioning themselves to capitalise on the continued growth in Chinese air freight demand, supporting the nation’s logistics infrastructure and international trade connections.
