News / Avianca eyes Caracas, MSC adds a 777F, SF brings in a 747, board shuffle at One Air

Photo: Avianca

Avianca Cargo, MSC Air Cargo and SF Airlines have all expanded operations this week, with developments spanning Latin America, Europe and the UK. 

Avianca Cargo has launched a weekly freighter service between Bogotá and Caracas, strengthening logistics links between Colombia and Venezuela as trade flows between the two countries continue to recover. 

The first flight operated on 7 March, using an A330 freighter, offering 60 tonnes of capacity per flight, complemented by an additional seven tonnes of weekly cargo capacity on Avianca passenger aircraft on the same route. 

Avianca Cargo CEO Diogo Elías said the new freighter operation would strengthen logistics flows between the two markets while providing additional cargo capacity as demand grows. 

The airline said it planned to gradually increase capacity on the route in line with market demand. The launch also coincides with Avianca opening sales for a second daily passenger frequency between Bogotá and Caracas. 

Meanwhile, MSC Air Cargo has taken delivery of another 777 freighter, expanding its fleet to seven aircraft as it continues to build its long-haul cargo network. 

The aircraft, registered I-MSCC and named Castor, was delivered from Boeing’s Everett facility in Seattle and will operate under MSC Air’s European air operator certificate. 

According to the carrier, the aircraft will support continued expansion of its Europe-Asia network, with Italian gateways now including Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, connecting to Hong Kong, Shanghai Pudong and the cargo hub at Ezhou Huahu. 

Chief executive Jannie Davel said the new aircraft reinforced the carrier’s commitment to long-term capacity growth. 

“Each addition to our fleet is a commitment to our customers, to the tradelanes we serve, and to the long-term foundation we are building,” he said. 

In the UK, SF Airlines has operated its first flight into East Midlands Airport using its own aircraft, marking a step-up in the Chinese carrier’s presence at the country’s largest dedicated cargo airport. 

The flight, operated by a 747 freighter, arrived from Ezhou Huahu International Airport, China’s cargo-focused hub. Until now, SF Express had served East Midlands largely through charter capacity or space agreements with other operators. Airport officials said the move signalled a longer-term commitment from the carrier and underlined East Midlands’ role as a key UK freight hub. 

East Midlands Airport said cargo volumes grew 12% year on year in 2025, accounting for more than a third of all UK air cargo growth, even as freight aircraft movements fell by 7% due to a shift toward larger long-haul aircraft. 

Commercial director Adam Andrews said the arrival of SF Airlines’ own aircraft represented “a major milestone” in the partnership. 

One Air reshuffles board as COO and CFO step down 

UK cargo airline One Air has appointed two new directors following the swift departure of two members of its senior leadership team. 

Companies House filings show Christopher Hope, the carrier’s chief operating officer and accountable manager, stepped down as a director on 4 February. Jonathan Hartley, the airline’s CFO, left the board on 25 February. 

The airline has since appointed Algirds Mikelsons and Marcus Philip Manning as directors. 

Mr Mikelsons joined One Air as chief operating officer after senior technical and operational roles across the aviation sector, including at Ukraine International Airlines and UTair Airlines, and as chief executive of MRO provider MAUtechnic. 

Mr Manning brings financial and charter market experience, having previously served as CFO of Chapman Freeborn Airchartering and as a board member of The Air Charter Association. 

One Air received its UK air operator’s certificate in 2023 and operates B747-400 converted freighters.