Freighter operator European Cargo and Bournemouth Airport’s in-house handler, Cargo First, are gearing up for a significant expansion with the impending addition of three Airbus A340 freighters in the coming months.
Scheduled for rollout, the carrier will welcome its fourth A340-600 converted freighter in July, with two more slated to follow suit before October. To bolster operations, Cargo First has diligently recruited 15 new personnel over the past year, spanning warehousing, aircraft handling, and security roles.
While the specific routes for these additional aircraft remain undisclosed, Bournemouth Airport’s managing director, Steve Gill, underlined their strategic focus on long-term infrastructure investment. This investment aims to enhance dedicated cargo facilities at the airport, positioning it as an attractive alternative to the constrained London hubs, particularly amidst the challenges posed by the Red Sea ocean shipping crisis, which is propelling air cargo demand.
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Gill emphasized the airport’s successful partnership with European Cargo, which has solidified Bournemouth’s reputation as a dependable and cost-effective hub for e-commerce and other air freight services into the UK. He highlighted their proven track record in delivering highly efficient services for time-sensitive consignments.
Echoing Gill’s sentiments, European Cargo’s chief executive, Jason Holt, underscored the significant milestones achieved within their inaugural year of operations. He revealed that nearly 300 flights were conducted, transporting approximately 20,000 tonnes of cargo between Bournemouth and Chengdu/Haikou routes.
With the imminent introduction of additional freighters and the burgeoning interest in their aircraft and services, Holt expressed optimism about meeting the escalating demands, especially with the approach of the air cargo peak season.
The A340-600 long-haul freighter, boasting a payload capacity of 76 tonnes and a cargo capacity of 440 cu m, forms the cornerstone of European Cargo’s fleet. Notably, these A340 aircraft have been meticulously converted with a bespoke in-cabin pod containment system to augment belly capacity, albeit without a cargo door.
