Solent Air adds Colombia call to US freighter service

Airfreight wholesaler Solent Air has added a new stop to its B747 freighter service between South America and the US.

The airfreight firm first launched the service in late July utilising a SkyLease B747-400F flown by charter carrier Trans-Caribbean between Quito and Miami twice per week.

Solent Freight Services chief executive Simon Milne told Air Cargo News that a stop in Bogota was added on September 1.

He explained the addition of Bogota would help fill the aircraft during the low season in Quito.

Milne explained: “Bogota traditionally is a complimentary market to Ecuador; if Colombia has lower demand, Ecuador has higher demand and vice versa.”

He added that the Colombian peso was currently weak which is expected to result in increased demand for exports from the country.

Gonzalo Mogollon, president Solent Air in Latin America, said that when the flight was first launched back in July, it was the first new service between Quito and Miami in many years.

“We have launched new flights due to demand in the floral, fresh cut flowers, fruits and perishable commodity industry,” he said.

Looking ahead, the company also has plans to add a stop in Los Angeles, although it has yet to announce a timeline for the expansion.