On May 4, IATA issued updated guidance covering the transport of cargo and mail on aircraft configured for the carriage of passengers.
IATA said that following the disruption caused by Covid-19, it had been approached by various airlines seeking guidance on the use of aircraft configured for the carriage of passengers to safely transport cargo and/or mail, including loading cargo in the passenger cabin.
It said that some operators are evaluating the reconfiguration of passenger aircraft by loading cargo on the passenger seats or by removal of t he passenger seats to increase the volume available for the carriage of cargo.
“Any reconfiguration of an aircraft in this manner requires full evaluation of cargo restraints connected directly to the seat tracks to ensure structural loads are within design limits and the appropriate restraint system is applied,” it said.
