EL AL removes B777 seats to meet cargo demand

EL AL Israel Airlines and its cargo division are operating cargo-only flights utilising its passenger aircraft in response to a reduction in flights, the closure of borders and the increasing demand for medical equipment such as face masks and other essential goods.

In order to increase its cargo capacity, EL AL has removed the passenger seats in some of its Boeing 777 aircraft to enable higher volumes of cargo to be transported.

This step was taken ahead of the carrier ceasing all of its passenger flights on April 4, 2020, due to low demand and travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus.

The removal of the seats in the passenger aircraft allows the aircraft to carry around 50 tons of cargo or in volume terms they have around 200 cu m of space.

EL AL stated that these measurements were calculated after it had removed the seats from two passenger Boeing 777-200 aircraft (pictured).

The converted aircraft will be used by EL AL’s cargo division to meet market demand on routes to New York, Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.