ABC reports double-digit air cargo demand growth for February

AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has again reported above market growth in its monthly airfreight volumes, with strong demand increases recorded on its transatlantic services.
The Russian airline recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in air cargo demand in February to 37,000 tonnes.
While the weight of cargo carried increased at double-digit levels, the distance cargo travelled, freight tonne kms, jumped by the lower amount of 3% as the airline carried out several intercontinental charter flights last year as a result of west coast seaport workers going on strike.
Particular growth was reported on North America-Europe routes, where ABC doubled its cargo traffic year-on-year.
In terms of the nature of cargo, ABC enjoyed stable demand in its flower traffic in February.
The airline performed 9 special flights for customers onboard its modern Boeing 747 freighters to satisfy peaks in demand ahead of St. Valentine’s Day on February 14 and International Women’s Day on March 8.
The freshly cut roses were transported from Ecuador to the cities of Amsterdam, Karaganda and Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk.
ABC commercial director Alexander Roschupkin also provided an update on its new Africa service, run through UK-based partner CargoLogicAir: “In February, AirBridgeCargo commenced services to Africa where we see growing volumes of exported perishables, including plants.
“We also see increasing need for air cargo services in other markets such as Latin America and plan to further expand the airline’s offering by providing international customers with a wider choice of routes across the airline’s international network and with special solutions to satisfy their airfreight needs.”