Emirates to operate 10 reconfigured 777-300ERs

[caption id="attachment_84762" align="alignright" width="460"] The removal of 305 seats from each 777-300ER allows for up to 17 tonnes and 132 cubic meters of additional cargo capacity per flight. (Photo: Emirates)[/caption] Emirates has begun operating reconfigured 777-300ERs with seats removed to create additional cargo capacity. The airline has already modified seven aircraft, with three more to follow by mid-July. These reconfigured 777s, called “mini freighters” by Emirates SkyCargo, add to the carrier’s substantial fleet of passenger freighters — 777-300ERs that have their passenger cabins intact — and eleven 777Fs. According to Cargo Facts ’ Passenger-Freighter Database , Emirates has already operated around 100 777-300ERs on cargo-only flights, whether as part of the carrier’s extensive scheduled network or in charter service. Emirates told Air Cargo World it made the decision to take the additional step of reconfiguring in May. While the U.A.E. carrier joins Taiwan-based EVA Air, which only started flying a single reconfigured 777-300ER in June, as relative latecomers, it isn’t entirely surprising. As the largest operator of the 777-300ER by far, with just over 130 aircraft, Emirates clearly does not need its whole contingent of 777-300ERs even as it gradually restores part of its passenger services. When Emirates began placing cargo on seats and in overhead compartments in early May , Divisional Senior Vice President of Cargo Nabil Sultan said the carrier was considering the removal of seats for routes with high demand. With three types of “freighters” to choose from, Emirates told Air Cargo World deployment is dependent on the volume of demand and the nature of the commodities. In addition to personal protective equipment, the mini freighters are also capable of carrying garments, pharmaceuticals maintained within a temperature range of 15-25 degrees Celsius, cut flowers, and certain dry and non-smelling fruits and vegetables on the maindeck. These aircraft have so far been deployed to cities such as Amsterdam (AMS), Bangkok (BKK), Bengaluru (BLR), Chicago (ORD), Colombo (CMB), Columbus (LCK), Dhaka (DAC), Eldoret (EDL), Karachi (KHI), Nairobi (NBO), Riyadh (RUH), and Zaragoza (ZAZ). The removal of 305 economy class seats from each 777, which can already carry 40-50 tonnes of belly cargo on a cargo-only flight, requires around 640 man-hours and enables up to 17 tonnes and 132 cubic meters of supplementary cargo capacity per flight. All modification work is being carried out at the Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai (DXB). “Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Emirates SkyCargo has taken very seriously its responsibility of connecting people and businesses across the world with the commodities that they urgently require,” said Sultan. “To this end, we have been working flat out, first to re-connect a global network of more than 85 destinations and then to introduce capacity options that fit what our customers demand from us including passenger aircraft flying only with belly hold cargo and loading cargo in the overhead bins and on passenger seats. Now, with the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with modified economy class cabins, we will be able to transport even more cargo per flight, allowing for more cargo to reach their destination faster and for more efficient cargo operations.” Emirates didn’t go into specifics as to whether it has been reevaluating its freighter strategy in light of the pandemic, only saying it believes it has “more than adequate flexibility to respond to market demand over the near- and mid-term” with the eleven 777Fs and the 777-300ERs.

Emirates to operate 10 reconfigured 777-300ERs

Emirates to operate 10 reconfigured 777-300ERs

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