Lufthansa Technik has announced that it has obtained Engineering Order Specific Tailsign approvals from the German Federal Aviation Authority to convert four Lufthansa Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft.

The aircraft will be used to transport medical goods to meet the growing demand for air freight during the global coronavirus (covid-19) crisis.

Within 36 hours, the Airbus A330-300 aircraft were modified for cargo transport. The prerequisite for such a conversion from a passenger to a cargo aircraft requires comprehensive technical documentation.

Normally, long-haul aircraft of this type fly up to 236 business and leisure travellers around the world.

An aircraft that has been granted approval for passenger transport cannot simply be loaded with cargo in the cabin, as the approval criteria for passenger cabins and cargo compartments differ entirely.

For example, cargo has a different floor load, with the structural load capacity of a passenger aircraft is lower than that of a cargo aircraft, for instance.

While for passenger transport rescue routes must be kept clear and the oxygen supply must be ensured for each individual, special fire protection measures must be taken on board a freighter.

All these criteria must be incorporated into the technical documentation by suitably qualified engineers and approved.

Currently, it is not only the demand for air transport of medical supplies that’s growing, but also for commercial goods.

Lufthansa Technik is currently working to obtain Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for all common aircraft types so that airlines all over the world can quickly convert their passenger aircraft into auxiliary freighters.

Senior director aircraft modification base maintenance at Lufthansa Technik, Henning Jochmann, explains: “We are working to have the complete technical documentation and certification available within a short time so that our airline customers can use the STC.

“The conversion itself should then be possible within a few days. The airlines can thus react quickly to changing needs while keeping costs low.”

Visit lufthansa-technik.com for more information.