LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - American Airlines announced on Friday that it would use passenger planes to fly cargo-only flights to Europe over the course of the next few days.
The company says the flights will carry medical supplies, mail for active US military, telecommunications equipment and electronics, as well as packages from e-commerce firms.

This is the first time the airline is operating cargo-only flights since 1984.

American and the other major US airlines have suspended the majority of their international long-haul flights so there is less space for cargo altogether.

American plans to make two round-trips between Dallas and Frankfurt over the course of the next four days.

"We have a critical role to play in keeping essential goods moving during this unprecedented time, and we are proud to do our part and find ways to continue to serve our customers and our communities," said Rick Elieson, president of Cargo and vice president of International Operations at American.

"Challenging times call for creative solutions, and a team of people across the airline has been working nonstop to arrange cargo-only flight options for our customers."

"The flights provide much-needed cargo capacity for many of the airline's regular cargo customers, allowing them to continue operating in this challenging environment," the company says in its announcement.

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