Airlines around the globe are making big changes to how they operate in the face of COVID-19 outbreak.
In addition to the growth of dedicated cargo service—including Atlas Air taking at least one 747 freighter out of storage—airlines are getting creative in how they carry cargo shipments that would normally fly with passengers.
To support the transportation of critical medical supplies, China Eastern has modified two of its Airbus A330s by taking out most of the economy cabin seats. A330s B-5961 and B-5973 are now operating between China and cities in Europe carrying bulky, but light cargo like gowns, gloves, and masks.
As passenger demand has dried up and travel banned between certain countries around the world, airlines have responded to the continuing need to move cargo by pressing their passenger jets into cargo service.
Airlines like Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, Qatar Airways, and American Airlines are using aircraft that would normally carry passengers for scheduled cargo service.
United has been using the 2XXX series for their cargo-only flights.
Qatar Airways is operating scheduled cargo service to China with passenger aircraft using the QTR8XX block.
