Lufthansa Technik to develop STC for ‘auxiliary freighters’

[caption id="attachment_413743" align="alignright" width="460"] Lufthansa now has four A330-300s with the seats removed. (Photo: Lufthansa Technik)[/caption] Lufthansa Technik is developing passenger-to-cargo conversion programs that temporarily reconfigure passenger aircraft as “auxiliary freighters” capable of transporting cargo on the passenger deck. The MRO has already converted four A330-300s for its carrier affiliate Lufthansa , and the modification was subsequently approved by the German Federal Aviation Authority. While the first four aircraft will be permitted to fly under a temporary exemption, an STC is expected shortly for the A330-300 and other common aircraft types. With demand for medical supplies and other commercial goods skyrocketing, Lufthansa Technik says other carriers with passenger fleets idled by the COVID-19 crises are showing interest in the conversion. Unlike full-fledged freighter-conversion programs, which are permanent and structurally invasive, the new “Pax-to-Cargo Conversion” can be completed in less than three days and does not involve sawing or shearing. Rather, the modification removes seats and installs fire extinguishers to bring safety into compliance for cargo carriage on the passenger deck. Without reinforced floor beams — like those found on the full-freighter and freighter-converted variants — the structural payload of the passenger deck remains limited for the cargo conversion. While not appropriate for heavy pallets, passenger decks without seats are suitable for carrying lightweight and bulky items, such as personal protective equipment. Dozens of carriers are now utilizing passenger aircraft for cargo-only missions, and a few have already removed seats on their own, including Air Canada , China Eastern , China Southern , El Al and others. The regulatory process for transporting cargo on passenger decks ultimately falls to individual aviation authorities. Multiple U.S.-based carriers are working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to greenlight the use of passenger decks for cargo transportation, and expanded guidance is expected shortly. Currently, U.S.-based carriers are only permitted to utilize existing storage areas, such as overhead bins and underseat stowage.

Lufthansa Technik to develop STC for ‘auxiliary freighters’

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