- Lufthansa Technik reports “strong interest” in services for temporary operational changes from passenger to cargo aircraft
- First agreement for technical and engineering support on an Airbus A380
- Enquiries from more than 40 airlines
- More than 15 projects already in realisation
It looks like airlines are queuing up to modify passenger aircraft cabins to accommodate cargo.
Lufthansa Technik’s new technical and engineering services for temporary operational changes from passenger to cargo aircraft have met with “great interest” in the aviation market.
So far, the cabin modification experts of the company have received enquiries from more than 40 airlines. More than 15 projects for different aircraft types are already in the implementation phase.
The German MRO subsidiary of the Lufthansa group said that 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.
“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.
“As the workscope comprises much more than just taking out seats, you need engineering experts who know exactly what the challenges are and how to document the technical solutions so correctly that the aviation authorities agree.
“The current exemption and our solution for it can be transferred to our Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) at a later point of time without major adjustments. This means that anyone who opts for Lufthansa Technik’s exceptional solution now can easily switch to the permanent STC solution later.”
Normally, an aircraft that has been granted an approval for passenger transport cannot simply be loaded with cargo in the cabin, as the approval criteria for passenger cabins and cargo compartments are completely different.
For example, said Lufthansa Technik, 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.
“All these criteria, and some more, must be taken into account and incorporated into the technical documentation by suitably qualified engineers and approved.”
Lufthansa Technik is currently working “flat out” to obtain STCs for all common aircraft types so that airlines all over the world can quickly convert their passenger aircraft into auxiliary freighters.
