Exclusive: Airbus floats concept for A380 freighter conversion
Center of plane would be retrofitted for cargo, passengers would still ride up top
1 216 7 minutes read Emirates has the largest fleet of A380s in the world and has been approached by Airbus about converting some of them to better accommodate cargo. (Photo: Emirates)
Airbus is polling airlines that fly the massive double-decker A380 for interest in converting the out-of-favor plane into a freighter, while keeping the top level for passengers, to take advantage of demand for e-commerce shipping, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
The trial balloon is a reflection of how far the super-jumbo’s stock has fallen as a people mover and the industry’s thinking that passenger traffic isn’t going to come back enough after the pandemic to support what once was the manufacturer’s crown jewel.