Alfor Aviation unveils new approach to Airbus A330 freighter conversions
Alfor Aviation is developing a new passenger-to-freighter conversion system that it believes could reduce the cost, complexity and time involved in giving older Airbus A330 aircraft a second life in the cargo market.
The Bournemouth-based company presented its Internal Loading System (ILS) at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, where executive director Niv Garih explained how the proposed conversion differs from conventional freighter programmes.
Traditional passenger-to-freighter conversions generally involve cutting a large cargo door into the fuselage, reinforcing the surrounding structure and strengthening or modifying the main deck floor. These are significant engineering projects that can keep an aircraft out of service for several months.
Alfor’s alternative is designed to avoid the installation of a new main-deck cargo door. Instead, the ILS would use the aircraft’s existing lower-deck cargo doors, together with two internal elevators that move freight between the lower hold and main deck.
“Basically, this is a new-generation solution in the P2F conversion sector, and here we do not touch the structure of the aeroplane,” Garih told Aerospace Global News.
“We are using the existing doors and mounting two elevators to provide a new loading system for both the belly and the main cargo deck.”
Targeting faster and more affordable freighter conversions
Alfor is initially developing the system for the Airbus A330-200 and A330-300. The company says its EASA Supplemental Type Certificate application for the conversion is in progress.
By avoiding some of the most extensive structural work associated with conventional conversions, Alfor expects ILS to offer a faster and more cost-effective route into cargo operations. The company is targeting a conversion time of around three months once the required parts and conversion kits are available.
It also expects its initial conversion line to be capable of completing approximately one aircraft per month, giving it a potential annual capacity of 12 aircraft.
Alfor estimates that an ILS conversion can be completed at roughly half the cost of a conventional main-deck cargo door conversion, while significantly reducing conversion lead times.
Garih said the concept emerged in response to aircraft delivery backlogs and growing pressure on airlines and cargo operators to make better use of existing assets.
“Old aeroplanes have had to be used for a longer period of time, and conventional cargo systems haven’t been rethought for many years,” he said. “We thought we could complement that industry by providing a new solution which will help extend the lifespan of older aircraft.”
Extending the working life of older Airbus A330s
Founded in 2023, Alfor Aviation is backed by Turkish conglomerate Alarko Holding and aviation specialist Foravia. Alongside the development of conversion systems, the company offers aircraft design, maintenance, repair and overhaul services and turnkey project execution.
Its ILS programme is aimed at a growing pool of ageing passenger widebodies that may no longer be required for airline service but retain considerable operational life.
Converting these aircraft rather than retiring or dismantling them could give operators access to additional cargo capacity while making use of an existing asset. However, the commercial performance of the system, including its payload, loading flexibility and operating economics, will ultimately depend on the final certified design.
For Alfor, Farnborough marks an opportunity to introduce that design to prospective operators, lessors and conversion partners.
“We can provide something new, something that is being rethought now in the P2F sector,” Garih concluded. “We are very excited about it.”
This content was produced in partnership with Alfor Aviation.
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