American Airlines is opening a whole series of cargo-only flights using some of its idled passenger planes to make some money during the crisis as well as to help move critical supplies.
The opportunity arose because with the absence of the cargo capacity that went with the thousands of now-grounded international flights, the freight-only airlines and such carriers as FedEx and UPS haven’t been able to keep up with demand, leading to long weights and surging prices, even at a time when fuel prices have dropped sharply.
American’s first freight-only flights since 1984 were in mid-March when 777-300s were used at government request to shuttle medical supplies and material, and carrying mail for soldiers overseas. AA retired its last 747F jfreighters in 1984.
Under the new schedule, American will carry more than 5.5 million pounds of freight a week on flights linking the U.S. to Buenos Aires, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. The flights will carry medical supplies, manufacturing and automotive equipment, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, mail and electronics. American’s still operating passenger service includes two flights a day to London and three a week to Tokyo; they also carry freight.
