One Air Expands Fleet with Third Boeing 747-400 Freighter

Britain’s new all-cargo airline, One Air, has bolstered its fleet by adding a third Boeing 747-400 freighter, responding to the growing demand for cargo services across Asia and Europe. The latest addition, a Boeing 747-400 Extended Range Freighter (ERF), has been acquired on a five-year lease from AeroTransCargo FZE and was announced in a press release on September 16, 2024.

The newly leased Boeing 747-400ERF successfully completed its inaugural flight for One Air, transporting cargo from Hong Kong to East Midlands Airport (EMA) on the same day of its arrival.

“Our business case was always based on the high demand we saw for a British cargo airline,” said Paul Bennett, One Air’s Chairman and CEO. “The arrival of our third 747-400 will enable us to provide more availability to our growing client base. We are also pressing ahead with our future fleet plans and expect to add at least one more freighter in the first half of 2025 based on our current growth plan.”

The Boeing 747-400ERF is notable for being the first aircraft in One Air’s fleet equipped with both a nose door and a side door, facilitating easier loading and unloading operations. This model can accommodate a maximum payload of 124,000 kilograms (approximately 273,372.88 pounds), making it a valuable asset for the airline’s logistics capabilities.

Since commencing operations, One Air has established a network of charter flights from various UK airports, including London Heathrow (LHR), London Stansted (STN), East Midlands Airport (EMA), Birmingham (BHX), Doncaster/Sheffield (DSA), Glasgow Prestwick (PIK), and Cardiff (CWL). The airline’s 747 freighters have also serviced destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with flights to locations such as Almaty, Amsterdam, Astana, Châteauroux, Hahn, Hong Kong, Jinan, Larnaca, Maastricht-Aachen, Muscat, Shannon, and Singapore.

Recently, One Air has been operating a contract for seven weekly 747F flights from Hong Kong to Europe, primarily transporting general cargo in response to market needs. This move aligns with the airline’s strategy to enhance its service offerings and solidify its presence in the cargo transport sector.

One Air launched its Boeing 747F operations in July 2023 after receiving its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The addition of the second 747-400 freighter occurred in December 2023, further expanding its operational capacity. The airline completed its inaugural flight with a Boeing 747-400 freighter on July 24, 2024.

As One Air continues to grow, the introduction of its third Boeing 747-400ERF signifies the airline’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for air freight services. With plans for additional aircraft on the horizon, One Air is well-positioned to become a key player in the competitive cargo airline market.