The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will halt cargo-in-the-cabin flights in the European Union  —  also called "preighter" operations  —  by August saying that the logistical challenges at the height of Covid-19 in 2020 are no longer present.

"Since 2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has issued approvals and exemptions for the transport of cargo in passenger cabins on a case-by-case basis. These were time-limited until July 31, 2022," the EASA said.

The EASA earlier extended the rules until August 2021 but in its latest announcement, it said that this will no longer be allowed beyond July this year.

End of cargo-in-the-cabin flights by July 31

"Following a review of the operational context for transport of cargo in passenger cabin, the agency has concluded that the logistical challenges that arose in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 crisis no longer exist to the same extent," the agency of the European Union with responsibility for civil aviation safety added.

The EASA noted that in accordance with the guidelines it has "determined that the exemptions delivered in this context will not be extended beyond the current validity of July 31, 2022."

It added that the same applies to existing approvals that have been granted based on the use of the Deviation on transportation of cargo in passengers compartments.

"This Deviation can also not be applied to any certification projects for which the approval is issued after that date," the EASA further said.

In its Issue 6.0 guidelines for "Transport of cargo in passenger compartment – Exemptions under Article 71(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (The Basic Regulation), published on April 11, it added: "Cargo capacity in the holds of passenger aircraft is expected to increase by summer 2022, thus reducing the pressure on the logistic chain."