In cooperation with Lufthansa Technik, Airbus is now offering a reversible cargo-in-cabin solution. Finnair is the first customer for the new product. An Airbus A330-300 was modified accordingly for the transport of non-dangerous goods in the passenger deck.

Due to the slow recovery of air traffic, the cargo hold capacity is still low and is not expected to return to pre-crisis levels until 2024. In addition, the exemptions granted by the authorities at the beginning of the pandemic to transport medical goods in the cabin have expired. Together with Airbus, Lufthansa Technik is now providing an STC that makes it possible to temporarily convert a passenger cabin into a cargo hold (“Temporary Cargo Cabin”).

“We partner with Airbus in times of crisis to deliver the best solution for aircraft operators. We benefit in many ways from each other's expertise and thus create a blueprint for possible future collaborations, ”says Sören Stark, Chief Operations Officer & Accountable Manager at Lufthansa Technik.

Daniel Wenninger, VP Airframe Services at Airbus, adds: “The collaboration with Lufthansa Technik enables this temporary freight solution to be implemented smoothly. With its first-class economy and versatile cabin, the A330 is the perfect aircraft for cargo missions in the current context. We will continue to support our Airbus customers with this new solution. "

Finnair is the launch customer for the “Temporary Cargo Cabin”: The operator recently converted an Airbus A330 at its home base in Helsinki, for which STC approval is already underway. Any Part 145 provider can carry out the retrofitting themselves. “With this EASA Approved STC solution, we are able to continue our successful freight operation even during the ramp-up. The solution is technically simple and does not require massive investments like conventional freight retrofits, ”added Juha Ojala, Vice President of Finnair Technical Operations.