31 March 2020:In today's troubled times, when commercial airlines are facing rough weather all across, many Pratt & Whitney customers are stepping in to save lives.
As per IATA, more than 185,000 passenger flights have been cancelled since the end of January, curbing vital cargo capacity. But instead of allowing passenger aircraft to sit idle on runways, these airlines have converted them to freighters to become key players in the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Air cargo carriers are working closely with governments and health organizations around the world to safeguard public health while also keeping the global economy moving," said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac
Below are some of the Airlines stepping up to save lives
-The freight arm of Delta Airlines, Delta Cargo has announced charter operation for companies with urgent shipping needs. Apart from this, Delta is also operating idled passenger aircraft as temporary freighters.
-American Airlines is making round trips between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas and Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
"We have a critical role to play in keeping essential goods moving during this unprecedented time, and we are proud to do our part and find ways to continue to serve our customers and our communities," said Rick Elieson, president of Cargo and vice president of International Operations at American Airlines. "Challenging times call for creative solutions."
Cathay Pacific, which plans to reduce capacity by 96 per cent for April and May, is evaluating a similar approach. "While our freighter network remains intact," said Ronald Lam, chief customer and commercial officer at Cathay Pacific, "we are also ramping up our cargo capacity by mounting charter services and operating suspended passenger services purely for airfreight to meet cargo customer demand."
Korean Air has flown several passenger aircraft as freighters in the last two weeks. It has transported emergency supplies and agricultural products to Vietnam and China.