Air Partner Freight’s expanding network of offices, partners and general sales agents have received an increase in business enquiries as a result of the widespread six-day closure of European airspace caused by the Iceland volcanic ash cloud.
Urgent goods backlogged in Europe, the US and the Far East because of scheduled cargo flight disruption has seen the freight division’s ‘volcanic crisis team’ responding 24 hours-a-day to provide ‘go now’ freight charters. Charters include:
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Consumer goods, electronics and garments between Seoul and North America
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'Catch-up' flights between Hong Kong and Vienna
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Vital automobile spares between Italy and Turkey to keep car production lines moving
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Flights between Shanghai and Hanover
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Two Boeing 747F flights will operate this weekend between Hong Kong and Los Angeles on behalf of a major forwarder
Richard Smith, Group Freight Director, commented: “Our growing network of general sales agents and partners in Japan, Hong Kong and China has risen to the challenge and performed for our clients at a turbulent time. I am delighted that our new emerging market ventures are delivering for clients. Much of the success can be put down to the co-operation between Air Partner’s 20 international offices and the sharing of real time aircraft availability information.”
Air Partner’s Commercial Jets and Private Jets divisions also responded to a higher level of enquiries as a result of the closure of European airspace, with passenger charter flights operated between worldwide destinations.
Elsewhere within Air Partner, the Fuel division saw its diversionary contracts with national airlines activated and organised fuel supplies at non-network airports. The fuel division continues to assist other aircraft operators with unplanned fuel needs.
