Airlines Saving Lives Amidst a Global Pandemic

While the coronavirus pandemic has forced commercial airlines worldwide to cancel flights, reduce capacity and cut costs, several longtime Pratt & Whitney customers are stepping in during this time of crisis and saving lives.

More than 185,000 passenger flights have been cancelled since the end of January, according to the International Air Transport Association, 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 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. "Keeping cargo flowing will save lives."

Here’s four airlines stepping in to make a difference.

Delta Cargo, the freight arm of Delta Air Lines, announced a charter operation for companies with urgent shipping needs. Thirteen U.S. airports are participating in the new program. Delta is also among the airlines operating idled passenger aircraft as temporary freighters.

American Airlines operated cargo-only flights - its first since 1984 - this past weekend. An American 777-300, which holds more than 100,000 pounds of cargo, made round trips between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas and Frankfurt Airport in Germany. Those flights offered much-needed capacity for many of the airline's regular cargo customers. American routinely carries freight on its domestic passenger flights.

"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% 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, which grounded 100 of its 145 aircraft and suspended nearly 90% of its commercial service, has flown several passenger aircraft as freighters in the last two weeks. Its routes to Vietnam and China, for example, transported emergency supplies and agricultural products.