Kenya Airways (KQ/KQA), the national carrier of Kenya, has become the first Boeing 787 operator to convert a portion of its Dreamliner fleet into full-fledged freighter aircraft. The 787 is typically only used for passenger flights, however, due to COVID-19, the demand for passengers has declined significantly while freight demand has remained steady and increased in certain cases.
Due to decreasing demand for air travel, the carrier had previously grounded multiple 787 Dreamliners while suspending many important routes, such as Nairobi – Amsterdam, and Nairobi – Paris. The airline now has decided to convert two of its grounded Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for use in full freighter operations. Kenya Airways currently has nine 787s in its fleet.
Canadian company Avianior has helped the airline in converting both aircraft. The airline removed all seats in order to carry 16 tonnes of cargo which provides a maximum of 46 tonnes of cargo per flight. The Boeing 787 already has the capacity to carry 30 tonnes of cargo in the belly of the aircraft. The KCAA and FAA have already granted the use of the 787 as a full freighter aircraft. KCAA’s director stated: “We have approved Kenya Airways’ request of turning the Dreamliner into a freighter and they can use it world-wide for cargo purposes.”
Kenya Airways will use both 787-8 freighters to carry essential cargo to and from Nairobi. Kenya is a major exporter of agricultural products, especially in terms of fruits and vegetables. Using both aircraft contributes to Kenya’s economy, as it allows the country to move its goods more simply. It is currently unknown how long the airline will use both aircraft for full freighter operations.
Featured image courtesy of Zaref Anderson / Aeronautics Online