BOURNEMOUTH Airport's goal of becoming a strategic air freight hub for the UK has taken a major step forward with news that carrier European Cargo has received EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification for its Airbus A340 wide-bodied freighter conversion programme.
Bournemouth's European Cargo is converting a fleet of ex-passenger A340 aircraft into long-haul freighters, the company announced in a press release.
Two have already been completed and one more is in progress, with six targeted for completion in early 2023 and options on a further six as demand grows, especially for cross-border ecommerce.
The EASA certification paves the way for a similar assessment by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (C), with European Cargo hoping for the green light in the New Year. Satisfying the safety authorities has included the installation of a sophisticated fire detection and suppression system, including live testing at altitude.
Said European Cargo's managing director Iain Edwards: 'EASA certification is a landmark moment in the development of our fleet. With six freighters already at Bournemouth for conversion and a further six available to us, that catapults us into the No 1 slot of UK-based wide-bodied carriers by some margin. And it makes Bournemouth Airport a huge contender in the UK air freight market.'
Said Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill: 'Combined with our location just 90 minutes from London, we think 2023 will be a transformative year for air cargo operations at Bournemouth Airport.'
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Bournemouth's European Cargo is converting a fleet of ex-passenger A340 aircraft into long-haul freighters, the company announced in a press release.
Two have already been completed and one more is in progress, with six targeted for completion in early 2023 and options on a further six as demand grows, especially for cross-border ecommerce.
The EASA certification paves the way for a similar assessment by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (C), with European Cargo hoping for the green light in the New Year. Satisfying the safety authorities has included the installation of a sophisticated fire detection and suppression system, including live testing at altitude.
Said European Cargo's managing director Iain Edwards: 'EASA certification is a landmark moment in the development of our fleet. With six freighters already at Bournemouth for conversion and a further six available to us, that catapults us into the No 1 slot of UK-based wide-bodied carriers by some margin. And it makes Bournemouth Airport a huge contender in the UK air freight market.'
Said Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill: 'Combined with our location just 90 minutes from London, we think 2023 will be a transformative year for air cargo operations at Bournemouth Airport.'
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