AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) says demand for charters of its 747 freighters grew 47% in 2016, although it is primarily a scheduled carrier.

Its latest flights were operated on behalf of DHL Global Forwarding for high tech coating firm Evatec, delivering a series of seven-tonne boxes of machine tools from Europe to Hong Kong.

ABC general director, Sergey Lazarev said the carrier was chosen due to its reputation for on-time performance and proven expertise in managing deliveries of high value production equipment.

ABC’s fleet of 16 Boeing 747 freighters includes four 747-400 ERF, three 747-400F and nine 748-8Fs.