Emirates SkyCargo latest carrier to use cabin and overhead bins for cargo

Emirates SkyCargo is the latest airline to announce that it is not only using passenger aircraft in cargo-only operations, but that it is using the cabin and overhead bin space — in addition to the bellyhold  — for cargo capacity too.

Currently, the carrier is operating 60 of its Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft for dedicated cargo operations.The aircraft have a 40-50 tonne belly hold cargo capacity per flight, as well as additional capacity in the cabin and overhead bins.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president of cargo, commented: “We have operated flights from stations such as Tokyo and New Delhi with cargo in the overhead bins and seats and are now in a position to be able to safely and optimally respond to customer demands for additional cargo capacity from main global production markets. We will be operating more flights over the coming weeks with cargo in both the belly as well as inside the main cabin.

“In addition, we are also looking at other measures including the removal of seats from select aircraft to deploy on high demand trade lanes.”

Sultan added: “We took a measured approach to the loading of cargo inside the cabins of our Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft. Safety of our people and operations is the first priority for us and we had to therefore evaluate the demand from the market against potential risks to our operations.

“We have now, after a complete evaluation, rolled out a detailed set of guidelines and procedures including strict rules on the kind of cargo that can be loaded inside the cabin.”

Emirates SkyCargo operates nearly 100 daily cargo flights operated to destinations in is network spanning more than 65 cities across six continents.