Freighter A380
Not likely. The fleet is used in passenger service until the 777-9 is available. Some parked aircraft might be just needed as part donors and not too many might be left for conversion. AFAIK the passenger version has light weight, custom configured floor beams, not sure how this would work with main deck cargo? Plus nobody has upper deck cargo loaders.
I'd speculate the 777-300ER will be converted instead. Huge numbers will come back from leases. Perfect for package cargo and Amazon.
I'd speculate the 777-300ER will be converted instead. Huge numbers will come back from leases. Perfect for package cargo and Amazon.
The A380 doesn't pencil out to be a good freighter - lots of volume, but it can't carry much weight. Short story is the max zero fuel weight is simply too low. As a result - depending on how much weight they can take out vs. how much structure they need to add in - an A380 Freighter conversion would be limited to around 100 tons of cargo.
To put that into perspective, a 777 Freighter can carry over 100 tons, and burns a lot less fuel in the process.
Combined with the difficulty of loading/unloading the upper deck, an A380 freighter conversion simply doesn't justify the costs.
Converted 777s and 747s make far better economic sense.
To put that into perspective, a 777 Freighter can carry over 100 tons, and burns a lot less fuel in the process.
Combined with the difficulty of loading/unloading the upper deck, an A380 freighter conversion simply doesn't justify the costs.
Converted 777s and 747s make far better economic sense.
