UK cargo carrier One Air targets US flights and 777 freighter
16 / 05 / 2023
Paul Bennett, CEO of One Air (third left) and members of the airline’s executive team: David Tattersall, Chief Technical Officer, Chris Hope, Chief Operating Officer, and Jon Hartley, Chief Financial Officer.
Recently launched UK freighter operator One Air has filed an application to add flights to the US and also revealed hopes to one day operate a Boeing 777 freighter.
In a filing with the US Department of Transportation, the freighter operator requested permission to operate cargo charter flights between the US and UK.
The charter carrier, which received its UK AOC in April and has a single 747-400F, added that it planned to also operate flights to the Middle East and China.
It has also expressed plans to offer flights to Europe and Asia.
Looking ahead, the carrier said that it hoped to further capacity in the future, potentially a 777 freighter.
“We will grow our operation by adding capacity – but only when it is fiscally prudent so to do,” the company said in the filing.
“We intend to add aircraft from elsewhere in the family of companies of which we are part, but will move to acquire more modern aircraft (potentially the Boeing 777F) when this is sensible for the business.”
The carrier said that it would help fill the shortfall in air cargo capacity generated by the demise of the UK’s only independent cargo freighter operator – CargoLogicAir – following “enforced closure by sanction authorities”, and provide vital cargo capacity on routes with the UK’s main trading partners.
“As trade recovers post-pandemic and re-establishes a new normal by adapting to geopolitical issues, secure and reliable air freight logistics and heavy lift capability continues to be vitally important nationally and internationally,” One Air said.
The company will be 51% owned by British citizen Paul Bennett and 49% by Indian citizen Guneet Mirchandani.
Mirchandani also holds a 49% share of Moldovan cargo airline Aerotranscargo SRL; an 80% share of UK broker Air One Aviation; and 100% of UAE-based lessor AeroTransCargo FZE.
Bennett holds a 20% share of Air One Aviation.
After completing its proving flight in July 2022 and following a rigorous application process for an Operating Licence, the new airline is now fully approved to commence operations.
One Air has dry leased its first 747 freighter and is now the only UK operator of the 747.
A spokesperson said that One Air’s business model calls for the addition of a second B747-400 during 2023.
Headquartered in Kingston, close to London Heathrow, One Air has recruited a team of 90 air cargo and aviation professionals for its launch.
One Air has appointed Air One Aviation as its first Global Sales Agency, while dnata will act as the airline’s handling agent in London Heathrow.
