Air Cargo Germany gets green light for launch

AIR Cargo Germany has finally received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) after a six-month delay. In a statement, the company said that “commercial operations will commence shortly” and that a second leased Boeing 747-400SF will soon join the fleet.

“To initiate this cargo project especially during times of economic downturn is highly welcomed by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt [Germany’s national aviation regulator],” said Hans-Henning Muehlke, the regulator’s head of division operations. “It is quite uncommon to establish a B747 operating carrier within only twelve months and to obtain a license for commercial flights in this relatively short period.”

Chief executive officer, Michael Bock, said he was very pleased to have received the permit. “For the management and our entire staff this is a highly notable day. For months we have made the required preparations to obtain the license. Now, holding the AOC in or hands we are eager to be airborne and commence commercial flights.”

The B747-400SF will first be used to conduct charter flights. Scheduled services are to follow as soon as the national authorities have granted the necessary traffic rights. The AOC is a precondition for conceding these rights.

“We will immediately start negotiations with a number of regulators,” announced Bock.

For the full story see the latest issue of Air Cargo News out on 24 July.

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