Korean LCCs to turn passenger jets into cargo jets to weather virus shock

South Korean budget carriers will deliver cargo in their passenger aircrafts, joining the move already made by full-service carriers to weather the shock from a plunge in air travel across the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said on Tuesday that it has conducted safety review and issued operation approval to the country’s three low cost carriers T’way Air, Jeju Air, and Jin Air that have submitted plans to carry cargo using passenger aircrafts. The move comes after larger industry players Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines received the green light from the government in May to deliver cargo using their passenger jets. In a move to make use of grounded planes, the government in April introduced a safety operation standard for passenger aircrafts to carry cargo instead. Under the new program, Korea’s two full-service carriers – Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines – could have improved profits by delivering freights in their passenger jets. An unnamed ministry official said that carrying cargo on passenger seat space is expected to allow air carriers to load 4 tons (B737 aircraft) to 10 tons (B777 aircraft) of additional cargo compared to when only lower cargo compartment is used, which helps expand transportation capability.<br/>