Airbus develops widebody cargo-in-cabin modification

Airbus is developing a modification for A330 and A350 family aircraft which will enable airlines to install freight pallets directly onto the cabin floor seat tracks, after removal of the economy-class seats.

This solution will help with the airlines’ own business continuity and alleviate the global shortage of belly-freight air cargo capacity due to the widespread grounding of long-haul aircraft caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it helps the industry to address the high demand for humanitarian flights to transport large quantities of medical equipment and other supplies rapidly over large distances to where they are needed.

Compared with loading cargo onto seats, this Airbus solution facilitates easier and quicker loading and unloading operations, as well as reduced seat wear. Other benefits include the added security of fire protection and 9g load restraint capability to prevent cargo from shifting in flight.

The modification is packaged for operators as an Airbus Service Bulletin (SB). Under this arrangement Airbus defines the engineering workscope and manages the process for obtaining the one-time certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Its scope includes the removal of the seats and Inflight entertainment (IFE), installation of cargo pallets and associated safety equipment – and also the re-installation of the original passenger cabin elements for reverting to passenger operations. The SB approach will also be valid beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.