Boeing_Seahawks_747_-_12246636256
Not the same aircraft - but a similar Boeing-owned, Seahawks liveried 747

Two UK-based air cargo carriers, IAG Cargo and CargoLogicAir, are set to expand their networks, despite the tough market conditions.

Stansted-based CargoLogicAir looks set to receive its second aircraft, G-CLAB, very shortly; the livery is already completed.

The 747-8F was formerly owned by Boeing, and painted in the Seahawks livery in July last year, just after its first flight in June.  It is currently waiting for final delivery in Paine Field. You can see an image here.

CLA is awaiting approval to operate US flights to add to its successful African operation.

Over at IAG Cargo, which now hands maindeck volumes over to Qatar Airways Cargo, the financial results are as opaque as ever. The group announced first-quarter commercial revenues of €262m – a decrease of 1.5%, year-on-year, claimed the company.

However, it noted, adjusting 2015’s figures to reflect a comparable operation shows commercial revenues decreased by 8.6%. IAG said it had amended the way it reported, adding €20m of “other” revenue to “cargo” revenues in 2015.

The cargo arm said volumes fell 1.8%, while yields, adjusted, fell 6.9% at a constant exchange – better than some rivals.

New chief Drew Crawley said the figures were “respectable”.

“The trading conditions experienced towards the end of last year have continued into 2016. The industry is also cycling over the west coast port strike that dominated the start of 2015, producing an unusually strong start to last year.

“Despite this high benchmark, the numbers reported today show that a relentless focus on premium products, strong cost control and precision management of our capacity and yields is helping our business to withstand these headwinds.”

He noted that IAG Cargo saw double digit growth in tonnages for Constant Climate and Prioritise. He also pointed to new routes from Madrid to Shanghai and Johannesburg, and expansion in Latin America. The integration of Aer Lingus will also add new routes to the US out of Dublin.

Mr Crawley said: “The IAG Cargo model and strategy remains unchanged and we are confident that this is appropriate for the current market conditions our industry is experiencing.”

 

 

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