Converting an A380 to a freighter

[Major]

Hi Fly has converted it's A380 to carry freight. I would have thought that the upper deck floor would not be strong enough to carry too much freight.
I'm sure QF have looked at this option but apparently decided not to go down this path.

Hi Fly converts its A380 to carry cargo | Flightradar24 Blog

Hi Fly has converted its A380 (9H-MIP | MSN 006) to a cargo configuration by removing seating from both decks. See how to track the flights.

www.flightradar24.com

 

[cove]

There is some freight that is high volume and low weight but that is quite restrictive. It has to fit thru the doorways too.
The A380 was designed only to carry passengers and their baggage.

 

[ButFli]

An A380 can only carry 10t more payload than a 747-400 (150t vs 140t), but weighs 185t more. Consequently, you're burning a lot of extra fuel to move a lot of extra plane around, for only 7% more cargo.

Not worth it except in the most specialised cases.

 

[jb747]

An A380 can only carry 10t more payload than a 747-400 (150t vs 140t), but weighs 185t more. Consequently, you're burning a lot of extra fuel to move a lot of extra plane around, for only 7% more cargo.

Not worth it except in the most specialised cases.

Whilst the 10 tonne figures is probably reasonably correct, I have no idea where you get the other numbers from. They aren’t even close. Try around the 80 tonne mark. And the weight difference is about 100 tonnes, not 185.

The numbers you need to be considering are the empty weight, maximum zero fuel weight, and maximum landing weight. Max take off weight is irrelevant.

Nevertheless, you are correct that the 380 is not worth converting to a freighter. I’d be looking at any 777s in the desert first.

 

[docjames]

Problem is they (Hi-Fly) have to do something with the expensive A380 they bought and pax demand is zero.

Will be interesting to see what they achieve in high-margin, moderate volume but easily pax-door loadable freight.

But the alternative is to park the frame.

 

[jb747]

It was a crazy aircraft for them to become involved with in the first place. This may delay it being parked, but I expect that will come soon enough.

 

[docjames]

It was a crazy aircraft for them to become involved with in the first place. This may delay it being parked, but I expect that will come soon enough.

I’m sure they got it (relatively) cheap, but it’s not looking cheap enough (at any price).

 

[jb747]

Running costs are the biggest issue. It works quite well within its niche.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Clip the wings and sell to Hyperloop as passenger vehicles for their tubes. Both equally fanciful ideas.

 

[ja1]

No numbers but.. there seems to be a niche for single or very small numbers of planes that can solve specific problems (witness the AN225..)

Perhaps they have marketed or identified a niche for cargo needs that dovetail into the A380s operating profile (e.g. low to medium weight, but not oversize volume). You could probably fit a lot of medical supplies into an A380 even if it wasn't on a standard pallet..

Or perhaps they simply need cashflow.. and they are hoping for the 'build it and they will come' model..