IAG Cargo hopes to capitalise on additional UK-US flights
IAG Cargo is hoping to capitalise on a new flight between London Heathrow and Portland as well as the restart of services to Pittsburgh.
The flights will be operated by IAG Cargo sister business British Airways utilising Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The new service to Portland operates five times a week and is the only non-stop connection between Oregon and the UK.
The service to Pittsburgh, which the airline last operated in March 2020, operates four times a week.
The restart of flights also coincides with a recent announcement to build a new cargo facility at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) as cargo volumes at the airport has grown rapidly in recent years.
Cargo likely to be carried on the flights includes beer, high-technology, and a variety of popular fashion brands.
Pravin Singh, vice president commercial, Americas at IAG Cargo said: “In the run up to this Summer, IAG Cargo has been launching many new services and restarting routes into North America, Latin America, and across the globe in order to support the needs of our customers.
“London Heathrow is an important connector for North American trade, enabling access to destinations across Europe, Middle East, and Asia, so I am pleased we are able of offer our North American customers these opportunities.”
Bryan Dietz, PIT’s senior vice president of air service and commercial development, added: “We are thrilled to have a partnership with IAG Cargo that demonstrates how Pittsburgh – located halfway between New York and Chicago – offers an easy and efficient shipping solution for their customers.
“We are focused on growing our cargo operations, including two new cargo facilities, to continue delivering world-class service to the industry.”
The new flights come as the transatlantic trade lane has seen a build up of capacity as the route prepares for the summer tourist season following the lifting of Covid restrictions.
As a result rates have been sliding, although they remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Average rate figures from the Baltic Exchange Airfreight Index show that prices between Frankfurt and the US were last week down 20.5% year on year to $3.37 per kg.
However, this is above 2019 level for June of $2.54 per kg.
Damian Brett www.aircargonews.net