Rolls-Royce Opening Up Freighter Market Written 3 May 2023

Aviation Week reports that Rolls-Royce is eyeing the widebody cargo sector as a growth opportunity for the engine manufacturer. Encouraged by increasing sales of the Airbus A330 passenger-to-freight (P2F) conversions and the 2021 launch of the A350 freighter variant, Rolls-Royce “claims a 64% market share of the A330 with the Trent 700 engine and is sole source provider to the future A350F version with the Trent XWB.” Despite recent headwinds facing the air cargo market, “confidence remains high in long-term demand for both the single- and twin-aisle conversion sectors as well as the new-build arena.” With air cargo traffic reported to double by 2041 and the world’s freighter fleet to grow by 60% from 2022, it is estimated that two-thirds of freighter deliveries will be conversions. Rolls-Royce says that it has over 80% of the A330 P2F market to date, “with more than 75 Trent 700-powered aircraft either already converted or due for modification through 2026.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)