KLM carries cargo in passenger cabins

[caption id="attachment_80751" align="alignright" width="460"] KLM is now loading cargo onto seats on its 777-300ERs. (Photo: KLM)[/caption] Netherlands-based KLM has operated its first flight with cargo loaded onto seats and inside overhead compartments in the passenger cabin, including urgent medical supplies such as face masks and protective gowns from Shanghai (PVG) to Amsterdam (AMS). According to KLM, the flight was operated by a 777-300ER and had a “cargo-in-cabin coordinator” from KLM Cargo onboard to supervise loading and monitor compliance with procedures the carrier has developed in the past three weeks. “Developing and implementing this concept is a particularly complex necessity,” said Adriaan den Heijer, executive vice president of Air France-KLM Cargo. “Safety plays a pivotal role. Each and every package must be bound securely to the seat to ensure it remains in place throughout the flight. But practical matters have to be taken into account too, such as swiftly and safely loading the cabin cargo without damaging the interior. This process is especially labor intensive; current expectations are that this will take at least four hours.” Loading the passenger cabin in addition to the lower belly boosts the volume of cargo the aircraft can carry. According to KLM, the freight carried in the cabin is equivalent to around six large pallets, or 40% of the overall cargo capacity. KLM will extend this type of operation to Beijing (PEK) and Hong Kong (HKG), using three 777-300ERs. The three 747-400 Combis KLM reactivated earlier this month solely to carry cargo from China will soon also use seats and overhead bins. Apart from China, KLM has already been using 787s and 777s for belly-cargo-only flights on a number of routes, including Bogota, Delhi, Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Taipei. Joint venture partner Air France has also been flying 777s with just belly cargo on some African, Asian, Caribbean and U.S. routes, and recently began using seats for cargo.

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