EADS N.V. - Conversion of 100th Airbus Aircraft starts at EADS EFW

On July 25, 2007 the Dresden-based EFW celebrates the entry into conversion of the 100th aircraft since taking up this activity in 1996. The 19 year old A310-300 bearing the Manufacturing Serial Number (MSN) 476 was formerly used by Turkish Airlines offering passenger services from Istanbul to major European destinations like Amsterdam, London, Düsseldorf, Paris and Frankfurt. The conversion process from passenger into freighter configuration takes about four months. Then the aircraft will start its second life and enter the Turkish Airlines´ freighter fleet. “We are happy that Turkish Airlines, a new up-and-coming customer in the air cargo business decided to convert the popular A310 aircraft,” said Dr. Andreas Sperl, President and CEO of EADS EFW. “I am very proud on our highly skilled and dedicated employees who contributed to 99 freighter conversions in Dresden – and to the current 100th one. Their passion to deliver excellence to our customers is the root cause for our achievement in the last years and represents the basis for EFW´s success in future programs.”

Turkish Airlines was established in 1933 as a flag carrier and will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. The cargo division of Turkish Airlines is growing rapidly. After the entry into service of the three A310 P to F freighters, Turkish Cargo will be able to serve new routes in Europe, Middle East and the CIS region. “Turkish Cargo is the leading cargo carrier in total export & import cargo in Turkey with 52% market share in 2006, ” said CEO of Turkish Airlines Dr. Temel Kotil.

MSN 476 is the first of three Airbus A310 aircraft for Turkish Airlines that will be converted into freighters. MSN 478 and 480 will touch down in Dresden later this year and in the middle of 2008.

EFW, headquartered in Dresden, Germany, with a workforce of about 1,200 is the centre of competence for Airbus passenger to freighter conversion within EADS.