US: Airlines must add fire protection to swap passengers for cargo

Struggling passenger airlines can turn planes into cargo-only aircraft provided they take steps to prevent fires and keep weight balanced, US aviation regulators said in new guidance. With passenger demand plunging, some airlines have begun carrying more cargo to provide revenue. The FAA’s guidance will allow them to carry it in what had been the passenger areas of the plane. Transforming aircraft in that way is permitted, the FAA said Wednesday. “It is an extraordinary situation, however, for an entire passenger cabin to be loaded with cargo,” the FAA said. “Passenger cabins are not designed for an all-cargo configuration.” Cargo compartments have specialised fire-detection systems that typically aren’t installed in passenger cabins, so airlines must take extra steps to ensure the crew can detect and fight fires. <br/>