Passenger freighters ‘good solution’ for vaccine airfreight challenges

As COVID-19 vaccines race toward the finish line for regulatory approvals around the world and airfreight distribution begins, the unique requirements of vaccine shipments and dry ice transport could make operating such flights with passenger freighters uniquely attractive, according to some freight forwarders. [caption id="attachment_91055" align="alignright" width="450"] Higher airfreight rates are prompting airlines to fly a growing number of passenger aircraft in cargo-only service again. Photo of a Cathay aircraft, courtesy of Pittsburgh Airport.[/caption] Mass distribution of vaccines has yet to begin while trials and regulatory approvals are still ongoing, but United Airlines and AirBridgeCargo Airlines have both already operated their first transports of vaccines — Pfizer’s vaccine developed in conjunction with German biotechnology company BioNTech SE in United’s case, and the CanSino vaccine from China’s CanSino Biologics in AirBridgeCargo’s case . The initial shipments pre-approval are fairly small, requiring less capacity than offered by large converted and production freighters. “We see not millions of doses flying around but rather, 10,000 of doses, so we are talking for the start about one or two pallets,” said Hellmann Worldwide Logistics COO Airfreight Jan Kleine-Lasthues in an interview with Air Cargo World . “I believe the passenger freighter is the perfect transport solution for these smaller volumes.” “We expect that countries don't want to see their vaccines transshipping at different transshipment points and countries, but they will request direct connection to their own country,” Kleine-Lasthues added. “This will cause as well smaller shipments and for that demand, the passenger freighter is the right solution for these direct flights.” While AirBridgeCargo utilized one of its 747 freighters for the transport of the CanSino vaccine, United Airlines has no freighters in its fleet, and has operated more than 7,000 cargo-only flights so far in 2020 using its passenger aircraft. Passenger freighter operations spiked during the initial wave of personal protective equipment shipments in April and May, but lower rates in subsequent months saw fewer such flights operating during the second half of 2020. Moving into the peak season and initial demand for vaccine shipments by air, rates are again making such operations financially feasible, and according to John Peery, COO and executive vice president with cargo handler Mercury Air Cargo, an increasing number of such flights have lately been arriving into Los Angeles Airport (LAX) from the Asia-Pacific region. The shipping requirements for COVID-19 vaccines, which regardless of the exact temperature range for a specific vaccine must be kept at very cold temperatures, may also give an edge to passenger freighters. Dry ice used in shipping is classified as a dangerous good by the U.S. Department of Transportation and by the International Air Transport Association, presenting an explosion hazard, suffocation hazard and contact hazard. “All equipment (freighter and passenger aircraft) have limitations for dry ice, as the byproduct is carbon dioxide so ventilation plays a crucial role, even without passengers the effect on flight crews is a concern,” Shawn Richard, vice president global air freight at SEKO Logistics, said. The limits on passenger aircraft, which already offer less capacity for cargo than freighters, may make passenger freighters more appealing for these types of shipments than for general cargo that prioritizes maximizing cargo capacity. “There is a limitation of dry ice allowed on aircraft because it's classified as dangerous goods," said Kleine-Lastheus. “Hence, you could never fill a complete freighter with vaccines, because of the dry ice limitation of the aircraft," making passenger freighters potentially a "good solution" for the shipments.

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