Still no A320F despite numerous retirements
While the A320 family is arguably one of the most popular commercial jets ever produced, none have been converted to a freighter since its first delivery in 1988. While there are economic reasons for this, the numerous A320 family retirements so far are worth noting.
According to Aviation Week Intelligence Network's Fleet database, 242 A320 family aircraft have been retired from service so far. The table below shows the number of aircraft for each type that were retired before the first cargo door installation took place. (Note that factory-built freighters and their impact on the freighter conversion market are not taken into account for purposes of this exercise. In addition, older types long gone from service are included simply for reference).
TYPES NOT YET CONVERTED TO FREIGHTER
| AIRCRAFT TYPE | NO. OF RETIREMENTS |
| A318/A319/A320/A321 | 242 |
| A330/A340 | 45 |
| 737-600/700/800 | 41 |
| 777 | 7 |
| 717 | 1 |
TYPES WITH A FREIGHTER CONVERSION PROGRAM
| AIRCRAFT TYPE |
NO. OF RETIREMENTS PRIOR TO FIRST CONVERSION |
| MD-80 | 376 |
| CV-880 | 19 |
| 767 | 11 |
| 737-100/200 | 7 |
| 727 | 6 |
| A300 | 1 |
| A310 | 1 |
| DC-9 | 1 |
| F-28 | 1 |
| L-1011 | 1 |
| 737-300/400/500 | 0 |
| BAC-111 | 0 |
| BAE146 | 0 |
| 707/720 | 0 |
| 747 | 0 |
| 757 | 0 |
| DC-8 | 0 |
| DC-10 | 0 |
| MD-11 | 0 |
Numerous 737-300 and 737-400 freighter conversions have taken place in recent years, but the A320 family has yet to see its first conversion. It appears the A320 is much more valuable as a passenger aircraft and/or as a parts source rather than as a freighter.
How the A320F conversion program develops with the introduction of the A320neo will no doubt be worth watching.