130+ passenger aircraft added to ‘COVID-19 freighter fleet’

As borders are severely restricted and passenger flights are cancelled around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least forty airlines have operated some 135 empty passenger aircraft for the sole purpose of carrying cargo, analysis by Cargo Facts has found. With bellyholds traditionally moving 40%-80% of the cargo on a given lane, the sudden drop in capacity was immediately felt as passenger flight cancellations began to accelerate in mid-March. Although main-deck freighter utilization was immediately thrust into high gear, capacity was still a mere fraction of what it was, even a few weeks prior. With the current record-low fuel prices, carriers have called in alternative equipment in the form of passenger aircraft, many of which would otherwise be parked for storage. See also: ACS sees spike in freighter charters, tight supply for aircraft and Kalitta sees record fleet utilization What started as a small-scale operation by a handful of carriers located in the Asia-Pacific region has quickly grown into a global phenomenon. Passenger aircraft are now being utilized for cargo-only missions in most major markets. Based on published flight schedules, the use of passenger aircraft to carry cargo will continue well into May. The chart at right shows the aircraft that are being used, or have been used, as makeshift freighters, at least in the last seven to ten days. We note that this list is unlikely to include every single aircraft that has been used for a cargo-only flight since the COVID-19 crisis began, but is our best estimate of the scale at which passenger jets are being deployed. The longevity of the operations will ultimately be determined by underlying air cargo demand, and how quickly the passenger aviation market recovers once the COVID-19 pandemic does subside. These flights vary in scope from one-off charters carrying relief supplies, as was the case with Air New Zealand’s 787-9 flight between Auckland (AKL) and Shanghai (PVG) or Airbus using its own A330-800 test aircraft between Toulouse (TLS) and Tianjin (TSE), to more comprehensive or extended operations. The size of aircraft deployed varies greatly too, from the A220-300 all the way to the 777-300ER. While some airlines have only been using the lower belly hold, others are making full use of the passenger cabin by securing cargo directly onto the seats and in the overhead compartments, as Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa did. China Eastern has modified a few of its aircraft by removing some passenger seats to create more space, but Greece-based Aegean Airlines went even further and proceeded to convert an A320 and an A321 into dedicated freighters by stripping the interiors completely. https://twitter.com/ChinaAvReview/status/1242421182151843840 https://twitter.com/aegeanairlines/status/1243540658436128770 While an STC is not required to carry cargo on the main deck of a passenger aircraft, cabin loading must be done in accordance with the guidance issued by the aircraft’s manufacturer. Regulations governing U.S.-based carriers are outlined in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations here . At present, Emirates has the most extensive “passenger freighter” network, serving thirty-three cities with 777-300ER passenger aircraft, in addition to its eleven-unit 777F fleet. The carrier’s complete passenger freighter schedule, as of March 30, is available here . Qatar Airways and Etihad are also gradually unveiling scheduled cargo services utilizing passenger aircraft. Etihad announced earlier this week it would begin serving ten markets with at least thirty-four weekly flights using 787-10s. These flights complement the carrier’s six 777F freighters. This week, Qatar Airways will resume serving six destinations in China, where it previously operated passenger flights, only this time, carrying no passengers. As of March 30, 777-300ERs began serving Beijing (PEK) and Hangzhou (HGH) from the carrier’s Doha (DOH) hub. By the end of the week, additional flights to Chengdu (CTU), Guangzhou (CAN) and Chongqing (CKG) are expected to launch. Among combination carriers without freighters, United Airlines has to date operated the most cargo flights. In the past week, the carrier operated dozens of flights to destinations in Asia and Europe, including Amsterdam (AMS), Hong Kong (HKG), Frankfurt (FRA), London (LHR), and Shanghai (PVG). The majority of the flights utilized 777-300ERs, but a few 787s were also included in the mix. Cargo Facts Asia 2020 will be held on April 21-22, as a virtual event, continuing its keen focus on the Asia market. Although the event will look much different, the excellent content will remain the same, with the best and brightest minds addressing the most pressing industry issues for Asia Pacific — including those around COVID-19. To register and for more information, visit www.cargofactsasia.com .

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