AFJROTC Commercial and General Aviation Take Off Practice Exam

Why did the passenger carriers continue to have success with carrying freight?

1. Higher demand

2. Lower costs

3. More aircraft availability

4. Bigger cargo spaces

The correct answer is: Lower costs

The choice of lower costs as the reason passenger carriers continued to have success with carrying freight highlights the economic efficiency achieved by these airlines. By utilizing existing passenger aircraft for cargo operations, airlines could take advantage of the overhead costs already covered by passenger services, such as crew salaries, maintenance, and fuel. This practice allows airlines to offer competitive freight rates without needing to invest heavily in dedicated cargo fleets right away. Pursuing a dual-purpose operation—moving both passengers and cargo—enables them to maximize their assets and maintain profitability even during times of lower passenger demand. While factors like higher demand for air freight, more aircraft availability, and bigger cargo spaces can certainly play a role, it is the context of operational cost efficiency that fundamentally underpins why lower costs are a significant factor in the sustained success of passenger carriers in the freight market.