AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has got off to a strong start in 2017 with 17 per cent year-on-year growth in the first quarter to 158,000 tonnes.
The airline has registered 13 years of consecutive growth since its launch in 2004, and welcomed its 10th Boeing 747-8 Freighter in March, bringing the total fleet of 747s to 17 aircraft, contributing to frequencies increasing seven per cent network-wide, while ABC’s load factor rose to 70 per cent.
Asian tonnage grew 19 per cent, and ABC has consistently developed its network in the region, most recently with flights to Taipei in April, in addition to flights to and from Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Hanoi, Taipei, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhengzhou.
High demand for exports from Europe enabled ABC tonnage from the region to grow 22 per cent, notably to Asia, which was up 24 per cent, while North America remained strong, with up to 30 flights a week to Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Special products saw very high growth, with pharmaceutical shipments increasing 70 per cent and off-size cargo by 15 per cent.
ABC general director, Sergey Lazarev says: “We will continue to stay in close contact with our customers to provide the network services and product solutions they require, and this will be supported by further growth of our fleet and more focus on carrying special cargoes.”
