Faroe Islands’ FarCargo to Introduce Direct Salmon Flights to U.S.
The Faroe Islands, a small archipelago in the North Atlantic, is stepping up its presence in the global aviation industry. Despite its modest population of 50,000, this autonomous territory of Denmark boasts its own airline, Atlantic Airways, and is about to welcome a new carrier, FarCargo. However, this time, the focus will not be on transporting people but a beloved Faroese delicacy – salmon.
FarCargo: Connecting the Faroes and the US with Fresh Salmon
Fishing, the backbone of the Faroese economy, accounts for a significant portion of the region’s GDP and exports. Among the various catch, salmon takes the spotlight, contributing to 45% of all exports. To further boost this vital sector, FarCargo, a subsidiary of prominent fish exporter Bakkafrost, has acquired a Boeing 757-200 cargo aircraft exclusively for transporting salmon.
Efficient Transport for Bakkafrost’s Salmon Market
Bakkafrost, a key player in the global salmon market, processes around 100,000 tons of salmon annually. FarCargo’s investment in the new cargo airline is aimed at swiftly transporting the fresh salmon to the United States, bypassing any intermediate stops during the journey. This direct air route to the US is expected to significantly reduce transport time from 4-5 days to under 1 day, meeting the growing demand for fresh Faroese salmon in the American market.
FarCargo’s Flight Plan: Vagar to Newark and Beyond
The newly purchased Boeing 757-200 cargo aircraft is set to be delivered in October 2023. FarCargo intends to operate up to five weekly flights between Vagar, the sole airport in the Faroe Islands, and Newark (EWR) in the US. For the return journey to Europe, the aircraft will stop at Billund (BLL) in Denmark before heading back to Vagar.
CEO Birgir Nielsen, the mastermind behind FarCargo’s venture, shared that the airline has already booked 100% of its capacity for transporting fresh salmon to the US. With a dedicated production and sales department in New Jersey, Bakkafrost’s US market is poised to benefit from the shorter and more efficient air transportation of salmon.
Opportunities for European Trade
FarCargo’s commitment to sustainable practices is evident, as the airline plans to make its return leg via Denmark available to other companies for shipping goods to Europe. This initiative aims to boost trade opportunities and strengthen the Faroe Islands’ position as an emerging player in the global aviation and seafood industry.
Atlantic Airways’ Plans for Passenger Flights to the US
In addition to FarCargo’s cargo flights, Atlantic Airways has ambitious plans to launch the first scheduled nonstop passenger flights between Vagar and New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) using A320neo aircraft. This weekly service is scheduled to commence on August 22, 2023, offering a direct connection between the Faroe Islands and the US for travelers.
Conclusion:
The Faroe Islands are making headlines in the aviation world with FarCargo’s new cargo airline focused on transporting fresh salmon directly to the US. This strategic move is set to revolutionize the transportation of Faroese seafood, meeting the growing demand in international markets. With Atlantic Airways also adding nonstop passenger flights to the US, the Faroe Islands’ aviation landscape is soaring to new heights.