European Freighter Network expanded (27/10/2005)

BA World Cargo announces the expansion of its European shorthaul freighter network, providing increased capacity and additional rotations to key European hubs and new destinations. The new programme is effective from 1 November, 2005

The network changes will see BA World Cargo's current schedule of 10 weekly wide body services to seven European destinations expand to 20 weekly services to 11 destinations, including four new stops at Oporto, and one new stop each at Stockholm and Amsterdam.

Complementing BA World Cargo's longhaul network, bellyhold operations and trucking service, the improved schedule reflects the carrier's commitment to growing its global network and investing in its business to meet the changing needs of customers.

The new schedule will allow customers the benefit of faster transit via London and next day connections to the USA, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Furthermore, the replacement of 757 freighters with A300 aircraft will offer greater capacity and eliminate the need for contour pallets.

David Shepherd, area manager Europe, said: "We have a strong offering in Europe through our shorthaul freighter service linking into our mainline global passenger network, as well as the point to point longhaul options offered from Germany, Portugal, Greece and Spain and this service will be strengthened by the changes we are announcing today."

Tony Nothman, regional vice president UK&I, Europe & Africa, said:"The expansion of our services within Europe, will not only benefit our customers in Europe, but also customers throughout our global network who will have additional options for shipping freight into and out of Europe.

"The European market is posing a real challenge for all carriers at the moment. However, we are maintaining our market share and outperforming market yield declines of 5%."

BA World Cargo's new freighter programme follows the carrier's European organisational restructure in July 2005, which included the appointment of four area commercial managers and an area customer service manager.