By year’s end, the cargo airline plans to increase its fleet with a second Boeing 747 Freighter.
Once more, a Boeing 747 is being operated out of the United Kingdom. As soon as the UK Civil Aviation Authority grants it its Air Operators’ Certificate, the fledgling cargo carrier One Air will fly its converted Boeing 747-400 freighter across Britain.
In July 2022, the brand-new British freight airline successfully completed all of its proving flights with the aircraft. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority informed Simple Flying this afternoon that after a lengthy application procedure, its Operating Licence is now fully approved to begin operations. For flights from the UK to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, One Air anticipates an early demand. The ultimate goal is to provide freighter services to the US and China.
One Air: who is he?
One Air, with its main office in Kingston near London Heathrow Airport, is said to have dry leased its first Boeing 747-400 freighter from Aerotranscargo. One of the startup’s key business partners is reportedly a shipping company from Moldavia. A second B747-400 is expected to join the 31-year-old aircraft this year, according to the airline’s business plan.In preparation for its launch, One Air has assembled a team of 90 air freight and aviation experts. The team consists of personnel who work in ground operations, engineering and maintenance, crew management, crew training, finance, and human resources specialists. The corporation added forty new members to its aircrew staff, including pilots from Cathay Pacific, Emirates Airlines, and Norwegian Airlines. The CEO of One Air, Paul Bennett, expressed his delight at the news:
“The crucial function that freighter services performed in sustaining the UK economy and the general populace throughout the epidemic highlighted the magnitude of demand which exists for a British cargo airline. We are honored to fill this demand and to be able to take use of our established commercial ties with shipping companies, logistics companies, and charter brokers who cater to the UK market.We anticipate acquiring a second 747F later this year, and we have the financial capacity to expand in step with the degree of demand we observe.Later in the year, the airline will examine its fleet plans, possibly adding new types of aircraft.
What’s the origin of the aircraft?
On July 24, 1991, the inaugural flight of the Boeing 747-400 was made. Prior to being converted into a freighter at the start of 2005, the airplane spent 13 years flying for Air Canada with the registration C-GAGN. After being leased by a number of airlines, notably Air China Cargo and Saudi Arabian Airlines (now Saudia), the freighter finally arrived at Aerotranscargo in 2020.The sole Boeing 747 still operating in the UK is that of One Air. There might be three more registered aircraft in the nation that aren’t flying. After making two quick flights to Shannon on Thursday, April 20, the One Air freighter was last seen at Cardiff Airport in Wales.
Who makes up the One Air crew?
Chris Hope has also joined the airline in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager. Previously, Hope was in charge of managing the entire easyJet operation at Gatwick. He was in charge of setting up new AOCs in the UK and the EU as well as being ready for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Hope worked for Flybe for two years as its chief operating officer before joining One Air. The new airline, in Hope’s opinion, will spur the creation of new jobs:
“I am honored to have been offered the chance to be a part of the leadership group for this innovative new project. With a future-focused and customer-first mindset, One Air will leverage its resources and entrepreneurial spirit to expand responsibly. Beginning with the 90 direct positions we are generating internally and the countless other jobs we are establishing with partners and suppliers, we will be boosting British businesses and the UK economy.
In spite of the enormous disruption to the aviation industry over the last two years, the UK’s cargo business has demonstrated resiliency. We are looking forward to playing a key role in the industry’s new phase of recovery and expansion.Jon Hartley and David Tattersall, respectively, are the airline’s chief financial officer and chief technical officer. Hartley has more than 25 years of expertise in a variety of business sectors, and Tattersall has held senior executive positions with well-known airlines like British Airways, Brymon Airways, and Flybe.
