VIRGIN Atlantic Cargo is extending its cargo-only network to Harstad/Narvik Airport in Norway, with the aim of offering faster lead times to the US than operations using the usual Oslo route.
The twice-weekly flights utilising B787-9 aircraft offer over 100 tonnes of capacity each week, primarily serving the Norwegian seafood and fish industry.
The airline said that once the produce arrives in the UK, the seafood can travel onwards to various US destinations and other gateways on Virgin's network.
The airport is located much further north than Oslo - around an 18-20 hour drive - and therefore seafood produced in the Evenes region will avoid a lengthy truck journey south.
'For exports to the US, the service will allow cargo to reach its destination up to 72 hours faster than current solutions through Oslo,' the airline said.
'The route expects to carry vast quantities of fresh salmon, as well as cod and crabs.'
Virgin said that flying a widebody aircraft into Harstad/Narvik airport at Evenes posed challenges for the Virgin Atlantic team, reports London's Air Cargo News.
Working closely with Kuehne+Nagel counterparts, the teams took part in online training and also operated a test flight on January 27 as part of the launch preparations.
Key challenges for Virgin Atlantic's team include limited hours of daylight per day, cold and windy weather with winter temperatures reaching highs of just minus 2 degrees Celsius as well as de-icing requirements.
'All pilots took part in special training for the unique approaches and departures they will experience alongside detailed briefings and airfield assessments that they will conduct at the airport,' the airline said.
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The twice-weekly flights utilising B787-9 aircraft offer over 100 tonnes of capacity each week, primarily serving the Norwegian seafood and fish industry.
The airline said that once the produce arrives in the UK, the seafood can travel onwards to various US destinations and other gateways on Virgin's network.
The airport is located much further north than Oslo - around an 18-20 hour drive - and therefore seafood produced in the Evenes region will avoid a lengthy truck journey south.
'For exports to the US, the service will allow cargo to reach its destination up to 72 hours faster than current solutions through Oslo,' the airline said.
'The route expects to carry vast quantities of fresh salmon, as well as cod and crabs.'
Virgin said that flying a widebody aircraft into Harstad/Narvik airport at Evenes posed challenges for the Virgin Atlantic team, reports London's Air Cargo News.
Working closely with Kuehne+Nagel counterparts, the teams took part in online training and also operated a test flight on January 27 as part of the launch preparations.
Key challenges for Virgin Atlantic's team include limited hours of daylight per day, cold and windy weather with winter temperatures reaching highs of just minus 2 degrees Celsius as well as de-icing requirements.
'All pilots took part in special training for the unique approaches and departures they will experience alongside detailed briefings and airfield assessments that they will conduct at the airport,' the airline said.
SeaNews Turkey