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Third China freighter for Bournemouth

[ November 23, 2023   //   ]

Bournemouth Airport-based Cargo First air freight business has added a third aircraft to its China route and is now operating up to nine flights a week.

Capacity on the route has tripled in the six months since Shenzhen Sharing Express Logistic-Tech started the route between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) in China and Bournemouth in April.

With the increase, there is almost 700 tonnes of weekly import capacity on the route, which is served by European Cargo’s fleet of all-cargo Airbus A340 wide-bodied freighters, each with a capacity of 76 tonnes.

European Cargo’s chief executive David Kerr said: ““Now the UK’s largest commercial freighter operator, we continue to expand our portfolio of customers and origins, with new agreements in place through 2024. Additional capacity coming on stream in the first quarter of 2024 is fully committed to customers looking to enhance their capabilities, deploying the uniquely tailored dual-density freighter solution offered by ECL coupled with the dedicated support of Cargo First’s fulfilment capabilities.”

Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill added: “This continued growth is further evidence of Bournemouth’s increasing stature as an e-commerce gateway to the UK. It reflects the confidence Chinese e-tailers have in the UK e-commerce market, which remains the most mature in Europe, and growing recognition that Bournemouth is a cost-effective and uncongested alternative to the busy hub airports.”

Sichuan Province and Bournemouth held a reciprocal trade mission in August, which included the signing of a cargo development agreement between Sichuan Province Airport Group Company and Regional & City Airports.

Cargo First says around half of consignments from Chengdu are clearing customs locally in Bournemouth and bypassing Heathrow altogether.

Both Bournemouth Airport and Cargo First are part of the UK’s privately-owned Regional and City Airports (RCA) group, which also owns Coventry Airport, Exeter Airport and Norwich Airport.

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