German aviation consultancy InAvia is behind a project to set up a cargo airline, FreshLine, specialising in the transport of perishable foodstuffs aboard regional freighter aircraft.
The project follows positive feedback from exporters and importers.
FreshLine is eyeing the operation of a fleet of up to eight Airbus 310 freighters, which would carry fruit, vegetables, fish and other perishables from Africa and the Middle East to Europe, through Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, in Germany for pan-European distribution.
The aircraft, converted from passenger mode, are scheduled for delivery between May 2007 and mid-2009.
Before the delivery of its first aircraft, FreshLine plans to launch operations from spring 2006 with a wet-leased Airbus A300 freighter.
Cairo, Amman and possibly Casablanca will be the initial export gateways for perishables. Nairobi, Entebbe, Addis Ababa and Aden could be added at a later date.
The A310F fleet would offer payloads of between 30 to 38 tonnes depending on the route.
“The concept of a freighter fleet dedicated to shipping perishables traffic corresponds to what exporters and importers are looking for today from airfreight providers,” said InAvia's Thomas Stuenkel.
“At the moment, the major carriers of perishable cargo bring in loads of up to 110 tonnes on B747 freighters every two to three days which has the negative effect for importers and wholesale trade of a drop in market prices because of a sudden supply glut.
“They have told us that more regular deliveries by smaller freighters, bringing in 30-40 tonnes of fresh produce at a time is more in keeping with what the trade wants in terms of flexibility and being able to regulate supply,” he added.
No comments yet