All Nippon Airways (ANA) said that it is the first Japanese airline to carry medical supplies, such as masks, hazmat suits and test kits, as cargo on the seats and overhead compartments of its passenger aircraft.
This move allows ANA to transport approximately 1.4 times more cargo* than when using only the passenger aircraft bellyhold.
To meet the increased demand for transportation of vital medical supplies, ANA began transporting masks and other items using the baggage storage space above the seats on the Shanghai to Haneda flights starting April 10.
Moving forward, ANA has also begun usage of its passenger seats as cargo space on this route since April 22, and is considering expanding this on other existing routes as well.
Other efforts include the operation of charter flights with the freighters. ANA had 86 flights in March, and are expecting 297 flights in April.
“ANA is honored to help relief efforts in Japan and help deliver these vital medical supplies,” said Toshiaki Toyama, President of ANA CARGO INC. and Executive Vice President of ANA.
“We are excited to use ANA Group’s resources in a creative way to deliver goods to people in need.”
*Total of cargo capacity, passenger seat and overhead compartment load compared to the Boeing 787-9 cargo load
