IAG Cargo dismisses near future freighter investments

IAG Cargo is not currently considering any new freighter investments, according to its chief commercial officer.

The cargo handling division of International Airlines Group (IAG) does not currently operate any freighters but utilises the belly capacity of IAG’s subsidiary airlines British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL, although it does have partnerships that provide access to freighter capacity.

John Cheetham told Air Cargo News: “We’re very fortunate at IAG that we have access to a truly worldwide fleet of aircraft and routes.

“And we also have partnerships with other carriers that give us access to freighter capacity as and where we need it.

“We’re not looking to change that model in the short term, but it is something that as a business, we will always keep under review.”

IAG Cargo was born from the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo in 2011 following the formation of IAG, where British Airways and Iberia merged.

The company did at one point use freighters, but as reported by Air Cargo News, in February 2015 IAG Cargo terminated its deal with Global Supply Systems (GSS), under which it had three leased B747-8Fs.

The GSS deal was originally with British Airways World Cargo.

The last couple of years has seen many airlines that previously did not operate freighters turn to all-cargo aircraft to meet cargo demand during the Covid pandemic.

During that period, IAG Cargo operated some of its passenger aircraft on cargo-only flights but it appears that is the extent of its all-cargo ambitions.