The coronavirus pandemic is reshaping global airfreight operations as passenger airlines ground planes and companies scramble for capacity to keep medical supplies, industrial parts and high-demand consumer goods moving. Some airlines are putting passenger planes to work as freight-only aircraft, with main cabins empty and cargo holds filled with shipments. Global carriers including Delta Air Lines Inc., Korean Air Lines Co., and Qantas Airways Ltd. also are running passenger aircraft on freight-only flights in certain lanes. “We must flexibly respond to market demand.”Korean Air is among the airlines running passenger aircraft on freight-only flights in certain lanes. Photo: Yonhap News/Zuma PressDeutsche Lufthansa AG , which has cut 95% of its passenger flights but continues to operate its freighter fleet, said this week it may use some of the passenger planes to move cargo.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 20, 2020 21:00 UTC