Three weekly flights to connect central Florida with Portugal from October 29, offering freight forwarders an estimated 45–60 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity
TAP Air Portugal is preparing to expand its air cargo reach in the United States with the launch of a new nonstop service between Orlando, Florida, and Lisbon, Portugal, as the airline and its general sales and service agent, America Cargo GSA, target demand from the region’s manufacturing and technology industries.
The route is scheduled to commence on October 29, 2026, with three weekly flights operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. America Cargo GSA estimates that the service will offer between 45 and 60 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, providing freight forwarders with an additional direct connection between central Florida and Europe. <Cite refs={[“turn824775search0″,”turn824775search1”]}/>
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The new service is intended to shorten transit times for shipments that currently require connections through other gateways. Lisbon will also provide onward links to European destinations and markets in South America, supporting TAP Air Cargo’s wider network strategy.
Opportunities across key cargo sectors
Orlando and the wider central Florida region are home to businesses operating in aerospace, technology and advanced manufacturing. America Cargo GSA is positioning the new route as an option for shippers moving high-value and time-sensitive goods, including aerospace components, electronics, medical technology and industrial machinery.
Other potential cargo flows include seafood and fresh produce, for which reliable transit times and efficient connections can be important considerations.
Jean Ceccaldi, chief executive of ECS Group, the parent company of America Cargo GSA, said the new connection would offer shippers a more direct alternative for moving goods between central Florida and Europe, while also improving access to Lisbon’s onward network.
America Cargo GSA said it had begun marketing the available cargo capacity and was working with freight forwarders to develop demand for the route.
Lisbon strengthens network connectivity
For TAP Air Cargo, the Orlando service represents another step in expanding its North American presence and strengthening connections between North America, Europe and Brazil.
Rúben da Silva Jorge, head of sales for North America at TAP Air Cargo, said customer feedback on the new route had been encouraging. The airline expects Orlando to develop as both a local cargo market and a gateway within its broader network.
The new service will complement TAP’s existing transatlantic operations, with Lisbon serving as a transfer point for shipments moving to multiple European destinations and onward to Brazil.
TAP Air Portugal and America Cargo GSA have worked together in the US market for five years. The GSA markets the airline’s cargo services through its established sales and distribution network and supports its presence at industry events.
As the launch approaches, the performance of the Orlando route will depend on how quickly freight forwarders incorporate the service into their routing plans and how effectively the airline converts regional export demand into sustained cargo volumes.
