Only 78 of Boeing's new orders were for freight aircraft but that understates the industry's importance, since many cargo planes are conversions of ageing passenger planes.

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Most animals can travel in the belly of passenger planes, but Lufthansa also has a fleet of 18 freight aircraft which can accommodate all shapes and size of animal -- be it hippopotamuses en route to the Philippines from Israel or rhinos and even crocodiles.

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Zero Gravity will work with an unnamed freight airline that now uses its aircraft only at night.

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Utilizing up-to-date detection technologies, carriers should again be allowed to carry freight and mail in the same aircraft as passengers.

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The aircraft are already designed to be changed quickly between freight and passenger use, using a large back door.

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