The first containers arrived in Doha on 29 September and over the next five years, Qatar Airways will replace its fleet of 10,000 ULDs with the new product, and is aiming to exchange 70% of the units in 2022.
Investing in the containers comes as concerns about the safe transportation of lithium-ion batteries and related products increase, a point Guillaume Halleux, the airline’s Chief Officer Cargo raised at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dublin last month.
He says: “Thorough testing has validated the absolute fire resistance of Safran Cabin’s new FRC containers, and we are very pleased to roll out this solution in our belly-hold fleet within such a short period of time.”
The new fire resistant containers are designed to resist a lithium-based fire for six hours and are equipped with a door made of high impact resistant materials without the use of Velcro.
Pascal Piveteau, Executive Vice President Cargo and Catering division at Safran Cabin says: “Together, we are contributing to the set-up of new standards for a safer aviation environment. We are also honoured by the trust our esteemed customer has expressed in this major project, which constitutes one of the largest-ever airline ULD fleet replacements, especially in these challenging times.”