US extends cargo-in-the-cabin exemption

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended the exemption allowing airlines to carry cargo in the cabin of aircraft. The exemption had been due to expire on July 10, but Airlines for America and others petitioned the administration to extend the exemption for another year. They argued that cargo capacity was still constrained due to fewer passenger flights and that allowing flight to carry cargo in the cabin would help alleviate supply chain constraints.
In the end, the FAA agreed the exemption until the end of the year.
“The agency determined that airfreight capacity has not yet been fully restored to all communities, especially those which are dependent on passenger airplanes for such service,” the FAA said.
“The FAA therefore finds that a short-term extension of this exemption will be in the public interest by supporting the continuity of the carriage of airfreight.”