First agreement for technical and engineering support on an Airbus
A380
Enquiries from more than 40 airlines  
More than 15 projects already in realization

Lufthansa Technik's new technical and engineering services for
temporary operational changes from passenger to cargo aircraft have
met with great interest in the aviation market. So far, the cabin
modification experts of the company have received enquiries from more
than 40 airlines. More than 15 projects for different aircraft types
are already in the implementation phase. A special highlight is the
support of the operational change of a first Airbus A380 of an
undisclosed customer with which Lufthansa Technik has now been
awarded.

"Over the past days, we have received strong interest from different
airlines regarding our passenger to freighter service capabilities,"
explained Henning Jochmann, Senior Director Aircraft Modification
Base Maintenance at Lufthansa Technik. "As the workscope comprises
much more than just taking out seats, you need engineering experts
who know exactly what the challenges are and how to document the
technical solutions so correctly that the aviation authorities agree.
The current exemption and our solution for it can be transferred to
our Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) at a later point of time
without major adjustments. This means that anyone who opts for LHT's
exceptional solution now can easily switch to the permanent STC
solution later."

Normally, an aircraft that has been granted an approval for passenger
transport cannot simply be loaded with cargo in the cabin, as the
approval criteria for passenger cabins and cargo compartments are
completely different.  

For example, cargo has a different floor load, i.e. the structural
load capacity of a passenger aircraft is lower than that of a cargo
aircraft. While for passenger transport rescue routes must be kept
clear and the oxygen supply must be ensured for each individual,
special fire protection measures must be taken on board a freighter.
All these criteria, and some more, must be taken into account and
incorporated into the technical documentation by suitably qualified
engineers and approved.

Lufthansa Technik is currently working flat out to obtain STCs for
all common aircraft types so that airlines all over the world can
quickly convert their passenger aircraft into auxiliary freighters.