BA World Cargo announces new freighter schedule (24/05/2006)

Following a strategic review of its services, BA World Cargo is this week announcing its new schedule, effective from 1 June 2006.

In a bid to address the eastern trade imbalance - an issue for many carriers - BA World Cargo will be increasing rotations from Europe and India with a twice weekly Hong Kong service, routing via Delhi and Frankfurt and a weekly Hong Kong service via Frankfurt.

An expansion of line flight routes means additional cargo capacity to a number of worldwide destinations including Toronto, Montreal, Seattle and Houston.

As a result of increasing pressure on yields and high fuel, from July 1 Atlanta via London and Frankfurt will be now be serviced twice a week and the Hong Kong -London - Frankfurt programme is reduced from eight to six rotations. This change in schedule means BA World Cargo will now operate three freighters rather than four.

The newly expanded shorthaul freighter programme introduced in November 2005 continues to be well supported by customers. The new schedule includes a number of minor slot adjustments for the European market, designed to better meet customer needs with more LHR flights and improved departure times.

Chris Bosworth, general manager commercial development BA World Cargo, comments: "Our strategic review of the freighter schedule revealed that we can continue to meet customer demands with this new schedule using three longhaul aircraft. The changes we have made come in direct response to customer demand and in-depth market intelligence.

"We constantly review our network to make sure that we are operating the right capacity in the right places at the right frequency to ensure economic sustainability. This allows us to continue investing back into our business for the benefit of our customers."