Lufthansa Technik is working on the first Airbus A380 passenger-cargo conversion, for an undisclosed customer.
“A special highlight is the support of the operational change of a first Airbus A380, of an undisclosed customer with which Lufthansa Technik has now been awarded.”
Lufthansa Technik Statment
The German Maintenance specialist issued a press release yesterday, regarding the temporary conversion of passenger aircraft to cargo. Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic several airlines, including Lufthansa and Air Canada, removed seats from the passenger cabin, to be easier to transport cargo like medical supplies.
So far, Lufthansa Technik has received enquires from more than 40 airlines for cabin modifications. More than 15 projects, of different aircraft types, are already in the implementation phase.
“Over the past days, we have received strong interest from different airlines regarding our passenger to freighter service capabilities” explained Henning Jochmann, Senior Director Aircraft Modification Base Maintenance at Lufthansa Technik
Lufthansa Technik also explained that a passenger aircraft cannot simply be loaded with cargo in the cabin, because the approval criteria for passenger cabins and cargo compartments are completely different.
“For example, cargo has a different floor load, i.e. the structural load capacity of a passenger aircraft is lower than that of a cargo aircraft. While for passenger transport, rescue routes must be kept clear and the oxygen supply must be ensured for each individual; special fire protection measures must be taken on board a freighter.”
Henning Jochmann, Senior Director Aircraft Modification Base Maintenance at Lufthansa Technik
Lufthansa Technik explains that it is currently working to obtain Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for all common aircraft types. With this, airlines can quickly convert passengers to cargo aircraft.