The European Aviation Safety Agency does not want to extend the use of so-called preighters beyond July 31, 2022. It was concluded that the logistical challenges had changed and therefore the exemptions were no longer granted, EASA said in a statement.

Since March 24, 2020, airlines have been able to obtain simplified authorization for the transport of cargo in passenger cabins. This was also used to be able to fly more protected goods, especially from Asia, to Europe. EASA gave the go-ahead for removing the seats and transporting them on the bench seats. This practice should now be over.

For airlines, this means that new permits must be applied for in good time. These usually have a term of around eight months. After July 31, 2022, these should no longer be distributed using the simplified procedure. Some carriers have already decided that the "Preighter" will be used as passenger aircraft again.

According to CH-Aviation.com, 43 passenger planes operated by airlines based in the European Union are currently in use as “preighters”. These will gradually be dismantled. However, there is also the possibility that one or the other provider will opt for permanent conversions. Then all the standards that apply to cargo aircraft must be met. Due to the corona pandemic, this had been softened since March 24, 2020. Austrian Airlines also sat at times passenger aircraft as preighter one, but these were dismantled again.