Airbus, EADS EFW and their Russian partners,
United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and IRKUT, have jointly decided
to stop the A320/A321 Passenger to Freighter conversion
development programme for economic reasons.
They will now launch
the necessary legal procedures for the termination of the joint
venture “Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH (AFC)”.
Recent market developments, including the
success of the upcoming A320neo, have resulted in more demand for
A320 passenger aircraft and less for freighter versions in this
aircraft category. In addition, high demand for used A320 Family aircraft
has
reduced the amount of aircraft available for conversion.
The joint venture “Airbus Freighter Conversion
GmbH (AFC)” was established in April
2007. Headquartered in Dresden, Germany, AFC was equally divided
between Russia (UAC and IRKUT with 25% each) and EADS/Airbus (EADS
EFW 32%, Airbus 18%).
IRKUT and Airbus will continue
their partnership in components manufacturing for the Single Aisle programme.
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