Alaska Air Cargo has become the North American launch customer for HAECO Cabin Solutions’ passenger aircraft interior stowage devices, which it introduced in April. The FAA-approved system will enable the carrier to use passenger aircraft in a cargo-only configuration by filling main cabin passenger seats with an additional 13,500 lb. of cargo.
The airline has opted for the in-seat stowage configuration of the design, which allows up to 240 lb. of cargo to be carried on top of existing economy seats. HAECO is also offering three additional configurations, including carrying up to 240 lb. of cargo on the floor between seat rows, an all-in-one seat frame that installs in economy seat tracks and can hold 500 lb., and a palletized variant that sits on the cabin floor can hold 1,000 lb.
“Our teams have been working since spring to identify the safest and most effective processes to increase our cargo capacity,” says Torque Zubeck, managing director, Alaska Air Cargo. “HAECO’s design will allow us to maximize the available space, increase our cargo capacity and protect the supply chain by connecting critical cargo to the communities we serve during this public health crisis.”
While Alaska Air Cargo previously used passenger aircraft with limited freighter service, it was unable to utilize the passenger seats until now. In addition to its three dedicated freighters, one of Alaska Air Cargo’s Boeing 737-900 passenger aircraft is being utilized as a cargo-only aircraft. The airline says each flight will carry up to 30,000 lb., including belly capacity.
“We are pleased with the continued partnership we have with Alaska Airlines, having performed heavy maintenance and reconfiguration work to them for over a decade,” says Doug Rasmussen, president and group director, HAECO Cabin Solutions. “We are delighted that we can also offer a quick, cost-effective solution to maximize cargo yields in their passenger cabins during this challenging time.”
HAECO says the STC prototype installation was accomplished in its Greensboro, North Carolina MRO facility and first flight and cargo loading were carried out by Alaska Air Cargo at its Seattle hub.
In addition to its North American launch customer, HAECO has delivered several other passenger cabin cargo systems internationally.
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