newstodate.aero
Mar 20, 2007 (newstodate): The Icelandic ACMI provider Air Atlanta Icelandic has shifted its emphasis from passenger aircraft to dedicated freighters, as it looks to create a secure, long-term revenue stream from the predicted growth in air cargo.
The ACMI provider will not abandon the passenger business, but the fleet will be scaled back as new freighters enter the inventory.
-The passenger ACMI business is dominated by peak summer season demand, but demand for freighters is more even year-round, says Hannes Hilmarson, Air Atlanta Icelandic president and CEO.
-We are simplifying our fleet to reduce maintenance and training costs, and we are placing cargo as our primary focus. We expect 70 per cent of our business to come from our freighter fleet, he says.
Air Atlanta received its first 747-400SF, after conversion by IAI Bedek, and this aircraft is now in service with Cargolux, on a lease deal that ends in December 2007. Cargolux also recently signed-up for a wet-lease agreement for a 747-400F that will run through until 31 December 2009.
The company has acquired four 747-400BCFs, and ordered eight B777 freighters, the first of which is slated for delivery beginning in February 2009 with the remainder scheduled to be delivered in 2010 and 2011.
The ACMI provider will not abandon the passenger business, but the fleet will be scaled back as new freighters enter the inventory.
-The passenger ACMI business is dominated by peak summer season demand, but demand for freighters is more even year-round, says Hannes Hilmarson, Air Atlanta Icelandic president and CEO.
-We are simplifying our fleet to reduce maintenance and training costs, and we are placing cargo as our primary focus. We expect 70 per cent of our business to come from our freighter fleet, he says.
Air Atlanta received its first 747-400SF, after conversion by IAI Bedek, and this aircraft is now in service with Cargolux, on a lease deal that ends in December 2007. Cargolux also recently signed-up for a wet-lease agreement for a 747-400F that will run through until 31 December 2009.
The company has acquired four 747-400BCFs, and ordered eight B777 freighters, the first of which is slated for delivery beginning in February 2009 with the remainder scheduled to be delivered in 2010 and 2011.