News / 'Bit of a gamble' – carriers seek the right balance for belly cargo flights

United Airlines cargo-only flight

Like other international cargo airports, Rickenbacker in Ohio has clocked up an impressive increase in freighter landings, with Silkway West Airlines the latest all-cargo operator to launch regular flights.

And the all-cargo gateway of Columbus has seen a steady flow of passenger planes on cargo missions, handling its 500th 777-300ER passenger freighter from a pool of five different airlines on 1 April.

More and more forwarders have signed-up dedicated cargo flights to ensure sufficient capacity in key lanes. However, United Airlines, which ...