AIRBUS A330 AIRCRAFT SELECTED TO FURTHER THE ‘CARGO IN CABIN‘ CONCEPT
AIRBUS ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF Q1 OF 2021
(Posted 29th April 2021)
Airbus and Lufthansa Technik (LHT) have signed a cooperation agreement to co-develop temporary “Cargo in the Cabin” solutions for A330s. This new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) solution will enable operators to load cargo into the cabins of their A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft.
Under the agreement LHT owns the STC and will provide the modification kits for customers, while Airbus’ role as the OEM includes providing technical data, engineering validations and operational calculations. The procedure consists of first removing the seats and then installing industry standard “PKC” pallets and nets on the main deck.
This configuration takes advantage of the A330’s good operational economics and versatile cabin.
“This new solution combines Airbus’ experience as an aircraft OEM with Lufthansa Technik’s expertise in managing STCs and aircraft upgrades,” says Daniel Wenninger, Head of Airframe Services at Airbus. “In these times of reduced passenger traffic, our customers are looking for quick solutions to temporarily increase cargo transportation capacity in the cabin.”
“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,” says Soeren Stark, Chief Operations Officer & Accountable Manager at Lufthansa Technik.
This new solution offers a volumetric cargo capacity of around 78m3 on the main deck of an A330-200 with 12 PKC pallet positions and 18 nets. Meanwhile, the A330-300’s main deck cargo capacity will be around 86m3 with 15 PKC pallet positions and 19 nets.
Through this partnership with Lufthansa Technik, Airbus demonstrates its constant focus on supporting customers by bringing new solutions to the market.
Meanwhile has Airbus reported results for Quarter 1 of 2021 which highlights are as follows:
- 125 commercial aircraft delivered in a market environment that remains uncertain
- Strong focus on cost and cash containment; progress on restructuring
- Revenues € 10.5 billion; EBIT Adjusted € 0.7 billion
- EBIT (reported) € 0.5 billion; EPS (reported) € 0.46
- Free cash flow before M&A and customer financing € 1.2 billion, including positive phasing impact
- Net cash position at € 5.6 billion
- The guidance issued in February 2021 remains unchanged
Gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 39 (Q1 2020: 356 aircraft) and included 38 single-aisle aircraft. After cancellations, net commercial aircraft orders were -61 (Q1 2020: 290 aircraft) with the order backlog comprising 6,998 aircraft on 31 March 2021. Airbus Helicopters booked 40 net orders (Q1 2020: 54 units), including 2 Super Puma Family rotorcraft and 1 H160. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value was € 2.0 billion (Q1 2020: € 1.7 billion) and included major contract wins in Space Systems and recurring services orders in Military Aircraft.
