This is a pretty interesting story. Both Korean and Asiana recorded profits in Q2 2020 by aggressively pivoting to using passenger planes for freight.
"Korean Air reported an operating profit of 148.5 billion won ($125.2 million) while Asiana saw its figure top 100 billion won, both owing to their robust cargo businesses.
In normal times these figures would’ve fallen short of grabbing headlines, but not in a year marred by an ongoing pandemic that has brought the aviation industry to its knees.
America’s Delta Airlines suffered a net loss of $5.7 billion in the second quarter, its biggest since 2008. International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia, reported a loss of 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion). Japan Airline suffered a loss of 93.71 billion yen ($882.2 million) while Germany’s Lufthansa lost 1.5 billion euros in the same period."
Many airlines have used aircraft cabins to increase freight capacity. This works well for airlines with a home market of South Korea, which is a huge exporter of small consumer electronics and other manufactured goods suitable for passenger planes.
A large percentage of Australian air freight exports consist of fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and even livestock which would not be suitable for cabin loading. And although they could (and have been used), using only the holds of passenger aircraft would not provide the same efficiencies as using the whole aircraft.
scottw
scottw
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Jul 2017
Total posts 6
This is a pretty interesting story. Both Korean and Asiana recorded profits in Q2 2020 by aggressively pivoting to using passenger planes for freight.
"Korean Air reported an operating profit of 148.5 billion won ($125.2 million) while Asiana saw its figure top 100 billion won, both owing to their robust cargo businesses.
In normal times these figures would’ve fallen short of grabbing headlines, but not in a year marred by an ongoing pandemic that has brought the aviation industry to its knees.
America’s Delta Airlines suffered a net loss of $5.7 billion in the second quarter, its biggest since 2008. International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia, reported a loss of 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion). Japan Airline suffered a loss of 93.71 billion yen ($882.2 million) while Germany’s Lufthansa lost 1.5 billion euros in the same period."
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200813000545&np=1&mp=1
X
X
British Airways - Executive Club
Member since 24 Jan 2012
Total posts 87
Many airlines have used aircraft cabins to increase freight capacity. This works well for airlines with a home market of South Korea, which is a huge exporter of small consumer electronics and other manufactured goods suitable for passenger planes.
A large percentage of Australian air freight exports consist of fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and even livestock which would not be suitable for cabin loading. And although they could (and have been used), using only the holds of passenger aircraft would not provide the same efficiencies as using the whole aircraft.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 736
X Qantas are using many of the A330s for freight at the moment. See http://theqantassource.com/ for their movements.