UK freighter operator European Cargo is expanding its operations to Cardiff International Airport with the addition of new flights to China.
The airline will launch a three-times-per-week flight between the Welsh airport and Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport in China on October 16, with plans to add an additional weekly frequency in the near future.
The flights will be operated with four European Cargo A340-600 converted freighters.
Cardiff will become the airline's second UK base, following on from the 2020 launch of operations at Bournemouth Airport in the south of England.
The airline primarily caters for e-commerce traffic out of China with flights from Bournemouth to Chengdu, Haikou and Urumqi.
The A340-600 long-haul freighter offers a payload capacity of 76 tonnes and a cargo capacity of 440 cu m.
European Cargo’s 10 A340 aircraft have been converted with a bespoke in-cabin pod containment system to add to belly capacity, but do not have a cargo door.
The carrier has two more A340s in the process of being converted into an all-cargo configuration - one is expected to be added soon - for a total of 12 of the model, with plans to re-configure more into freighters.
European Cargo chief executive Jason Holt said: “As we continue to grow our business expanding outwards from Bournemouth, we see Wales as a fantastic place to invest in. Cardiff Airport has many advantages, including 24-hour operational facilities and easy road access to the motorway network."
Cardiff Airport chief executive Spencer Birns added: "There is huge demand for airfreighters in the marketplace and this investment in Wales is primarily down to the excellent facilities and teams we have at the Airport."
The news was also welcomed by UK supply chain organisation Logistics UK. Policy manager – trade, customs and borders Josh Fenton said: “This is fantastic news and will open up new trading routes linking Wales to international markets.
"Cardiff Airport has the facilities to handle large aircraft and Logistics UK has been calling for a study to determine how to increase air freight at the airport for some time, so it is great news that there will be freight flights to China starting next week. We hope this is only the beginning for Cardiff Airport, and that we will see more airfreight services and new routes connecting Wales to international markets.”
“Logistics has a key role to play in Wales in driving growth across the Welsh economy and the Welsh government must exploit the strategic opportunities this high quality, integrated transport infrastructure presents. Key to this is publishing the Welsh Freight and Logistics Plan as a matter of urgency and appointing a dedicated minister for logistics and supply chain who can deliver across the Welsh government.”
https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/european-cargo-gears-up-for-more-freighters/
