Keith Mwanalushi of Inflight discusses protecting the cargo hold with Eirtech Aviation Services’s Head of Sales, Paul Gibson. Keith examines how airlines; air freight technology providers and cabin modification specialists are responding to the return of belly-hold cargo capacity on passenger aircraft fleets.
Keith Mwanalushi of Inflight discusses protecting the cargo hold with Eirtech Aviation Services’s Head of Sales, Paul Gibson. Keith examines how airlines; air freight technology providers and cabin modification specialists are responding to the return of belly-hold cargo capacity on passenger aircraft fleets.
Protecting the Cargo Hold
Ireland-based Eirtech Aviation Services develops bespoke solution packages for airlines and aircraft leasing companies globally and Paul Gibson, the company’s Head of Sales, has noticed a spike in demand for cargo bay panel repairs and upgrades in all regions, as belly-hold capacity returns. “This is whether to replace panels because of damage while loading or unloading resulting from aircraft inspections or a general upgrade and complete refresh of cargo bay areas,” he says.
Eirtech has developed a cover system for the cargo hold that Gibson believes offers a fantastic opportunity to easily convert aircraft like the A320 family, which are equipped with a Cargo Loading System (CLS) for bulk loading baggage or cargo. Gibson notes that the solution is fitted with no change to the original aircraft configuration and all stanchions’ posts and net securing locations are also still accessible once fitted. “It’s installed as a minor modification, providing an excellent alternative to a CLS removal, which is a major modification and structural change to the aircraft,” he says. “Installation or removal of a CLS cover is less than four hours for both forward and aft cargo bay compartments.”
Gibson says the Eirtech solution also caters for aircraft which have an additional centre fuel tank (ACT) fitted.
Paul Gibson, Head of Sales