Avensis Aviation (Avensis), a provider of passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversions, has launched Medius Evo, an evolution of its Medius Class E PTF solution for the Airbus A330-200 and A330-300. The Evo option, which is a reversible Passenger-to-E-Commerce-Freighter (PTEF), is designed to enable reduced loading and offloading times.
According to Avensis, Medius Evo enables an aircraft such as an A330-200 to be loaded with custom unit load device (ULD) pallets in 100 minutes – by comparison, aircraft with the Medius conversion can take more than 250 minutes to load. The system utilises the same aircraft and airport ULD operations as all ‘door’ freighters.
Avensis also says the Medius Evo modification is considerably lighter in weight than its previous PTF options, leading to an optimised aircraft empty weight and a more fuel-efficient conversion product, boosting airlines’ operational efficiency.
The Medius Evo option retains the Medius Class E cabin but now incorporates a cargo loading system (CLS), which enables pallets to be loaded (the previous Medius solution could only be loaded with boxes), along with a minor reconfiguration of the Medius smoke detection system. The CLS and smoke detection system are subject to engineering and certification changes.
The loading process is fast, as is the conversion process. Avensis aims to convert an aircraft to a full Medius Evo capability in eight weeks (subject to the approved MRO, kit availability, and conversion sequence). Operators upgrading from an existing Medius to conversion to the Medius Evo version can see the work take as little as four weeks. Medius Evo can be installed at any Avensis-approved MRO globally, and is not restricted to a set production line.
Cristian Sutter, CEO of Avensis Aviation, said of this latest addition to the Medius portfolio of freighter conversions: “The Medius Evo PTEF conversion is agile, reversible, and applicable to wide-bodied aircraft, allowing airlines to maximise their fleets through reduced turnaround times. By incorporating new cargo loading capabilities, cargo can be loaded and offloaded faster than ever.”