Lufthansa Technik is introducing a new, reversable solution that allows airlines to use their passenger cabins for cargo transport using existing processes and without inefficient loading processes or huge investment.
The Covid-19 crisis has caused unprecedented disruption for airlines, with many aircraft being grounded. This has left airlines with the huge challenge of finding ways to utilise aircraft, with the transport of cargo being an elegant solution. But what is the best way to achieve this?
One possibility is to convert aircraft into freighters, but this is a costly solution that takes a lot of time and is not always practical.
Another answer has been to utilise passenger aircraft for cargo-only flights, making use of all possible space. This has also involved temporarily stripping cabins of seats and turning aircraft into ‘preighters’ [a combination of passenger aircraft and freighters]. But there are limitations of time and type of cargo, and existing ‘cargo in cabin’ solutions also often require inefficient loading processes.
Lufthansa Technik has come up with an innovative, “pretty unique” new solution that addresses these problems, called CCC – Cabin Cargo Container. Cargo can be put into specially created containers in a process that can take place off the aircraft. The containers are then easily loaded onto the stripped-out aircraft. The process is reversible, meaning airlines can respond to varying future demands and seasonal requirements.
“Once you have modified [the aircraft] you can then switch back and forth between the options,” explains Lufthansa Technik representative product sales EMEA base maintenance services Robert Wanek.
“The volumes and weights you can transport are pretty close to a full conversion – but it’s a short- to mid-term solution and not for the next decade or so.
“The new container is just part of the entire idea. Together with the loading bridge and a unique cabin cargo loading system it offers a comprehensive way of using a passenger cabin for cargo transport. The container itself is a newly-developed design based on existing LD6 standard size ULDs (same contour but smaller in depth to fit through the passenger door).
“The concept is turning the passenger cabin into a full class F cargo compartment and allows using existing industry-standard high-loaders and following general cargo handling processes. Being able to use these processes is a big benefit for airlines; they don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
According to Jan-Peter Noll, Lufthansa Technik’s manager strategy & innovation, base maintenance services, while Covid-19 brought the topic and programme to the table, there are other business cases for CCC.
“We usually see some peaks in demand for the cargo market – so the reversible solution could be used by passenger airlines to bridge the gap between summer seasons, and fly some cargo in the Christmas season for example, where the demand is increasing, or in the spring season when flowers need to be shipped around the world.”
Rolling out
CCC will be used by Lufthansa Technik’s parent carrier, and is also being offered to other airlines. “The basic issue is the same with all airlines; the need to utilise aircraft,” says Wanek. “We’ve been approached by a few airlines already, so we are at the beginning of the entire rollout.”
The concept should work on most widebody aircraft, according to Wanek. A detailed investigation has been made for A330/340s only for the moment, with the 777 to follow soon. Given the size of the container the solution is not suitable for narrowbody aircraft.
“Since we are implementing a new container that meets existing standards in the industry and can be flown on other freighters too, a specific point-to-point operation is recommended,” says Wanek.
“Additional spare containers located at these destinations will help to reduce loading times and can be rotated in the carrier’s network. Despite that additional cost, overall costs are still fairly limited but the advantage of additional capacities on high demand routes should help airlines to break even in a short time.
“Any airline with existing (belly-) cargo handling capabilities could benefit. Pure cargo airlines with the need for additional aircraft and/or lessors with parked assets might also find the idea useful.”
Main benefits of CCC – Cabin Cargo Container
- Increased asset utilisation in times of low demand
- Reversible modification; aircraft can still be used for passenger operation again if needed
- Streamlined cargo operation: no need to keep aircraft available for a long time during loading processes; containers can be pre-filled in warehouses as with any other ULD
- Almost the same cargo capacities as full P2F conversions at a portion of costs
- Modification can be installed by most part 145 MROs and does not require specialised P2F conversion companies
*This feature is taken from the Winter 2020 issue of Airline Cargo Management, which you can read here.