Bournemouth-JFK cargo flights in high demand

GSSA Aviacargo has seen demand for space on European Cargo’s flights between Bournemouth in the UK and New York take off as capacity on the trade is in high demand.

The flights are operated using European Cargo’s A340-600 aircraft which were converted into a cargo configuration last year.

Aviacargo, which sells the belly capacity on the aircraft, said that between May and the start of June 55 tonnes was carried on a series of flights.

Paul Stoddart, founder of European Aviation, last year told Air Cargo News sister title FlightGlobal that this weight was around the maximum that the aircraft could carry in their bellies.

Aviacargo president Michael Cox said: “The loss of transatlantic capacity as a result of the pandemic as seen an urgent requirement for reliable service between Europe and the US.

“Our aim throughout has been to give freight and logistics companies a service they could rely on. We have proven that this route delivers exactly that and combined with our exceptional customer service we have delivered these record-breaking flights.”

The transatlantic air cargo demand has seen capacity come under pressure in recent months, with the loss of bellyhold capacity hitting the trade lane particularly hard given the lack of freighters that traditionally operate on the route.

According to data from Accenture’s Seabury consulting, cargo capacity compared with 2019 on the transatlantic is around 29% down in the westbound direction and 27% in the eastbound.

“Importers and Exporters need to be able to rely on their service provider and flexibility and reliability have delivered these record tonnages,” said Cox. “From the UK, Bournemouth has proven to be the perfect location to operate from.”

As a result of the tight capacity on the trade rates have been increasing rapidly. Figures from the Baltic Exchange Air Freight Index (BAI) show that average rates on the trade in May were up by almost 100% in May compared with 2019 levels to $4.41 per kg.