Kuehne+Nagel said the growth of air cargo, especially for e-commerce, implies a need for more than 1,500 aircraft to be converted from passenger to freighter. 

Due to this demand, the global transport and logistics company said it developed an integrated end-to-end logistics solution to support passenger aircraft into freighter aircraft (so-called P2F) conversions.

"With the changed cargo market requirements and a significant amount of unused passenger equipment due to Covid-19 pandemic, Kuehne+Nagel has tuned its proven KN InteriorChain service towards P2F conversions," Kuehne+Nagel said.

Passenger to freighter aircraft solution

It noted that the P2F conversion is an engineering challenge that requires a number of complex structural modifications of the aircraft, such as the installation of the main deck cargo door, removal of all passenger amenities, installation of floor grid and freighter floor panels for increased weights and many other modifications.

KN InteriorChain is based on Kuehne+Nagel's global 24/7 aerospace network, ensuring connectivity and visibility down to part and serial number level globally from origin until handover to the engineer, it said.

It noted that the solution also includes fully digitised ordering and supplier management, proactive multimodal transportation management, customs, warehousing and end of life solutions.

"Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Kuehne+Nagel has proven its agility to adapt to changing market requirements quickly. With the new P2F aircraft conversion programme, we now offer a reliable end-to-end solution to manage conversions of retired passenger aircraft into a long-lasting freighter, so our customers can scale up their operations, reduce costs and boost cargo capacity," said Erik Goedhart, senior vice president, Global Head of Aerospace at Kuehne+Nagel.

He noted that the feedback with leading airlines and companies for P2F conversions is very positive.