EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

摘要

Viking expansion: By the fall, there will be no fewer than 31 Icelandic jet freighters in operation around the world, from the U.S. to Hong Kong and various points in-between. This surprising statistic results from significant expansion at Air Atlanta and Bluebird Air Cargo, and steady expansion at Icelandair and Islandsflug. The latter's managing director, Omar Benediktsson, suggested to Cargo Facts that the Icelandic cultural traits of flexibility, speedy response and modern thinking have enabled these carriers to make such significant gains, especially in the ACMI business. Whatever, here is the breakdown of these 31 units: Air Atlanta Icelandic wet-leased a sixth 747-200F to MASKargo last month, and the Malaysian carrier will renew all six for one year from November. Air Atlanta is taking two former Atlas Air units this summer - a -200 which will fly on a new contract with Cathay Pacific from August, and a -300 which will be used alternatively by Cargolux and Air France. Cargolux also has full-time use of another AAI 747F, and then there are the three units being transferred from Lufthansa in June and July, all of which AAI now believes will likely fly full-time for the German carrier for the next three years. Moreover, it's not only 747s which Air Atlanta is picking up cheap and recycling. Last month, Air Atlanta Aero Engineering (AAAE) was officially opened at Shannon, Ireland, when it took over Shannon MRO. This company was previously owned by UPS and provided overhaul of Big Brown's 727 and 757 freigthters in Europe. Strangely, UPS built a brand-new hangar at Shannon and then promptly decided to get out of the maintenance business! AAAE will add 747 and 767 capability at this facility to overhaul its own fleet, and then seek third-party work.