Korean Air begins using converted planes to transport cargo

Korean Air Lines said Wednesday it has begun to use two converted planes to transport cargo on routes to the US in the latest move to offset a sharp decline in air travel demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest carrier in South Korea has recently converted two B777-300ER jets into cargo planes after obtaining approval from the transport ministry. "One of the two converted aircraft flew to the Rickenbacker International Airport in Ohio on Tuesday, and the other is scheduled to fly to the same airport on Thursday," a company spokesman said. In June, Korean Air began to carry cargo in cargo seat bags, which attach to the seats of passenger jets, as the pandemic drove down travel demand and its earnings. Cargo-carrying demand has jumped this year as more than 180 countries and territories closed their borders or imposed entry restrictions on incoming passengers amid virus fears. Korean Air said it may consider making another request to the ministry to convert additional passenger jets into cargo planes if cargo demand continues to rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic.<br/>