American Airlines Airbus A330
American Airlines' operated their first cargo-only flight on the 20th of March for the first time since 1984. The airline operated a Boeing 777-300 on two round trips over four days from Dallas Fort Worth to Frankfurt. These flights were used to transport necessary flight personnel.
The Boeing 777-300 has 14 large cargo pallets and can carry more than 100,000 pounds. They transported medical supplies, mail for active US military, telecommunication equipment and electronics that supported people who were working.
During these challenging times, the airline has been transporting essential medical supplies that are keeping the world's infrastructure together. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the airlines' tremendous operations have provides an important role for the world's e-commerce required to support basic needs for quarantined and social-distancing. The airline is classified as a critical infrastructure industry by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We have a critical role to play in keeping essential goods moving during this unprecedented time, and we are proud to do our part and find ways to continue to serve our customers and our communities,” stated the President of Cargo and Vice President of International Operations, Rick Elieson. “Challenging times call for creative solutions, and a team of people across the airline has been working nonstop to arrange cargo-only flight options for our customers.”
There was a great team effort involved in organising and getting these flights underway. All operations carried out were brought about by the American's team members and vendor partners contributors.
“It’s an honor to be part of these cargo-only flights,” said Ken Jarrell, Fleet Service Clerk, Cargo Services – DFW. “They represent much needed aid for the world and hope for our team. Our team members across the airline are ready and willing to do what it takes to make sure people have the things they need during these unprecedented times.”
Domestically, the use of their narrow bodies are essential in shipping medicine and e-commerce goods. The airline transported their first shipment of Covid-19 test kits to Chicago O'Hare airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
American Airlines announced on the 9th of April on their newsroom page on their website that they are expanding their cargo-only flight. They are transporting 5.5 million pounds of their cargo capacity weekly to the US. They are flying to Buenos Aires, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. The aircraft contain medical equipment and materials that include PPE and pharmaceutical essential goods to the US. They also hold manufactory items such as automotive equipment, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, mail and electronics.
“The air cargo industry plays a critical role in pulling the world together in times of crisis, and it takes all of us to get the job done,” said Rick Elieson. “With the expansion of American’s cargo-only flights, we have more capacity to bring critical medical supplies and protective gear to the areas that need it most. We also play a key role in transporting essential goods to keep the world’s economy moving. I take immense pride in all the ways our airline and our industry are responding to make a difference when the world needs us most.”
The increased cargo flights will be from Dallas Fort Worth to Dublin and Hong Kong between John F. Kennedy Airport and London Heathrow. American Airlines adding Shanghai and Seoul between Miami and Buenos Aires.
Here is the board shown on the website (*Origin city for ICN/PVG cargo-only flight is pending):
Picture taken from Newsroom by American Airlines.
The airline will be carrying cargo on their remaining passenger flights. They operate 17 flights internationally per week. These passenger flights include daily services between Dallas Fort Worth and London Heathrow and Miami and Heathrow. They also operate three flights weekly between Dallas Fort Worth and Tokyo Narita.
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