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exemptions for the transport of cargo in passenger cabins on a case-by-case basis . That enabled the business to remove all seating to maximize the capacity on the main deck . These new ‘ preighters ’ operated with piledup boxes of test kits strapped down to the floor with netting , enabling a capacity that rivaled that of traditional freighters . The flights operated in this form nonstop , each aircraft arriving at Bournemouth from the Far East , unloading , and then departing to pick up more cargo .
PHREIGHTER TO FULLY FLEDGED CARGO JET
In early 2022 , the EASA concluded that the logistical challenges that had arisen in 2020 as a result of the pandemic had somewhat abated . The agency therefore determined that the exemptions and
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temporary approvals it had issued would not be extended beyond July 31 , 2022 . Luckily , European Cargo was ahead of the curve and already had plans in motion to permanently convert its A340-600 fleet to cargo . During its initial consultations , the company had ruled out the installation of traditional cargo doors , deciding that the costly structural changes would not be economical for aircraft of their age . Instead , they installed a series of internal pods on the main deck ; cargo was loaded and unloaded through the L2 and L4 doors with the aid of portable roller mats on the cabin floor .
The conversion involved removing all bulkheads , rear galley and toilets and replacing them with 39 pods of six different sizes . Each pod was covered by a fire containment bag tested to withstand a lithium battery fire
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for six and a half hours . This meant that any fire could be confined to a single pod , safeguarding the rest of the cargo and aircraft and enabling a safe diversion to a suitable landing location , even during long trans-oceanic flights . The modifications also included a sophisticated fire detection and suppression system along the ceiling of the cabin , which Airbus and industry regulators deemed satisfactory after thorough testing both on the ground and in flight .
In December 2022 , the EASA granted the airline a Supplemental Type Certificate ( STC ) for its A340-600 Class F conversion . European Cargo ’ s Managing Director Iain Edwards proudly said :
“ Our pod containment system has proven itself through a rigorous testing regime and
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7 9H-PGS in storage at Bournemouth during cargo conversion . |