Lufthansa Technik and Airbus develop ‘temporary cargo cabin’ kit for Airbus A330s

Lufthansa Technik and Airbus have partnered to develop a reversible cargo-in-cabin solution, known as a ‘temporary cargo cabin’, for Airbus A330 aircraft.

The solution enables passenger cabins to be transformed into cargo-carrying spaces with the kit supplied by Lufthansa Technik, increasing capacity by up to 15 tonnes depending on the aircraft configuration.

The temporary cargo cabin installation process is: passenger seats are removed from the cabin and then TSO-approved (Technical Standard Order) pallets are installed — with special brackets on the seat tracks — in the center column of the aircraft, thus creating additional space for bulk cargo to be strapped and stored in the lateral area of the cabin with TSO-approved nets.

Lufthansa Technik, which owns the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), also provides fire safety equipment in the temporary cargo cabin kit provided, keeping in line with European Aviation Safety Agency cabin safety requirements.

Finnair is the first airline to modify an Airbus A330-300 in order to carry commercial, non-dangerous goods in an installed temporary cargo cabin.

Lufthansa Technik said the carrier modified one of its Airbus A330 at its base in Helsinki, and the approval process for the STC is underway.

Temporary cargo cabins can be installed at any Part 145 provider worldwide, Lufthansa Technik added.

Juha Ojala, vice president of Finnair Technical Operations, said: “With this EASA-approved STC solution, we are able to continue our successful cargo operations even during ramp-up. The solution is technically simple and does not require massive investments like traditional cargo conversions.”

Soeren Stark, chief operations officer and accountable manager at Lufthansa Technik, commented: “We join forces with Airbus in times of crisis to deliver the best solution for aircraft operators. We mutually benefit from each other’s expertise in many respects and thus create a blueprint for possible future co-operations.”

Daniel Wenninger, Airbus’ vice president of airframe services, added: “The cooperation with Lufthansa Technik enables the smooth implementation of this temporary cargo solution. The A330’s best in class operational economics and versatile cabin makes it the perfect aircraft for cargo missions in the current context. With such a new solution, we keep on supporting our Airbus customers.”