European Cargo

Last updated
European Cargo
European Cargo logo.png
G-ECLB A340-600.jpg
IATA ICAO Callsign
SEUROEURO
Hubs Bournemouth
Fleet size8
Destinations7
Parent company European Aviation Group

European Cargo Limited is a British cargo airline based at Bournemouth Airport in Dorset, England, operating a fleet of Airbus A340-600 freighters. [1]

Contents

History

PPE charter flights

European Cargo began operations in April 2020 when its parent company, European Aviation Air Charter, responded to an urgent charter request by the UK government for PPE transport from Malaysia. The carrier operated an initial series of freight services operated by Maleth-Aero of Malta using former Virgin Atlantic A340-600 aircraft which were painted in commemorative liveries as a tribute to the British National Health Service.

Establishment of permanent operation

In December 2020, European Cargo Limited was registered in England and Wales, [2] and shortly thereafter began to take over the operation of the A340-600 airliners from Maltese partner Maleth-Aero. [3] These aircraft were thus placed on the UK register beginning in February 2021.

European Cargo began converting its widebody fleet into permanent freight configuration (the aircraft had been operating as temporary "preighters" - passenger aircraft temporarily repurposed for freight operations) in 2022, with the first of these certified by the EASA in December of that year. The airline also received investment from Priority 1, a US logistics broker, in 2022. [4] In 2023, European Cargo opened a new route from Bournemouth to Chengdu, [5] and also began fresh fish charters between Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes and Heathrow Airport.

Destinations

European Cargo currently serves the following scheduled destinations, alongside a variety of charter routes:

List of European Cargo destinations
CountryCityAirportNotes
Austria Vienna Vienna International Airport
China Chengdu Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Haikou Haikou Meilan International Airport
Ürümqi Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport
France Châlons-en-Champagne (Vatry) Châlons Vatry Airport
Norway Harstad Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes Seasonal
United Kingdom Bournemouth Bournemouth Airport Hub
London London-Heathrow Airport Seasonal

Fleet

A European Cargo A340-600, at Bournemouth Airport in October 2023. G-ECLB A340-600.jpg
A European Cargo A340-600, at Bournemouth Airport in October 2023.

European Cargo operates a fleet of Airbus A340 airliners in both 'preighter' and cargo configurations.

European Cargo fleet
AircraftCurrent fleetDueNotes
Airbus A340-500 1Former Etihad A6-EHD
Airbus A340-600 723 now in permanent freight configuration

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References

  1. Hardy, Edward (2022-12-22). "Bournemouth-based European Cargo celebrates freighter milestone". AIR CARGO WEEK. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  2. "EUROPEAN CARGO LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. "New European Freight Airline Ready For Takeoff Shortly | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  4. Saunders, Eddie (2022-03-28). "European Cargo Limited announces investment to accelerate growth". CAAS /// Cargo Airports & Airline Services. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  5. Brett, Damian (2023-05-04). "New all-cargo service between China and UK". Air Cargo News. Retrieved 2023-10-17.