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By Bjorn Fehrm

Introduction

September 30, 2021, © Leeham News: In last week’s article, we put the question: Has the increased cargo pricing started to affect the choice of airliner variant?

We analyzed Boeing’s 787-8 and -9 for margin generation when flying at low post-pandemic load factors. We found the 787-9 is the more attractive alternative as long as air cargo pricing stays high, even though the passenger load factor on the route would motivate a 787-8. The revenue from under the floor cargo compensates for a low load factor in the cabin. Now we subject the Airbus range; A330neo, and A350 to the same analysis.

Summary

• The trend from last week continues. Variants with high cargo capacity can sustain lower load factors while generating the same margin on routes.
• This article develops the passenger load factors where the margin generation is the same between Airbus widebodies.