South Korean airlines convert passenger jets into cargo carriers
Sep 09, 2020 (Gmt+09:00)
South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co. has converted its passenger plane Boeing 777-300ER into a cargo carrier to further boost cargo operations, with its affiliated low-cost airline Jin Air set to take the same approach in October.
Korean Air's newly transformed cargo carrier took off from Incheon International Airport on Sept. 8 heading to Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, according to the company on Sept. 9. The city is home to many logistics centers managed by leading distribution and clothing companies in the US.
Going forward, Korean Air will link up with cargo route networks in Southeast Asia to transport orders for automobile parts, electronics parts, and clothing among other products. Meanwhile, Jin Air also plans to transform its passenger aircraft B777-200ER into a freight aircraft next month to step up cargo operations.
Last week, Korean Air received approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to overhaul two of its passenger jets, mostly by stripping seats and clearing up floor space, to load cargo. The approval came after the planes were reviewed by Boeing and aviation safety inspectors since transforming a plane is not a simple matter and requires a thorough technical review.
The conversion process included removing both passenger seats and the complex in-flight electrical wiring. Also, standardized safety latches were installed to prevent cargo from sliding around.