newstodate.aero
Dec 13, 2010 (newstodate): Finnair has sold its two MD-11F freighter to Jim Neff, Neff Air, the former owner of Southern Air Transport.
Both aircraft will be transferring to their new owner shortly into 2011. One aircraft is currently used by Finnair Cargo on its freighter route net, the other is in Singapore for conversion to freighter.
Finnair Cargo's future is thus unsettled.
-It is natural that in this connection we have had during several month multi-level contacts and discussions with Mr. Neff. As I have stated before, from commercial and operational point of view Finnair and Finnair Cargo are evaluating various possibilities for continuing cargo only operations either alone or with partners, says Antero Lahtinen, Finnair Cargo managing director.
-Also leasing aircraft or purchasing cargo capacity from outside is an option the same way we have done in the past. We are working with several potential scenarios, and we believe Helsinki Airport will develop well to become important air cargo hub, says Mr Lahtinen.
Finnair re-introduced own freighter services with converted MD-11 passenger aircraft from May 10, 2010, and currently offers freighter flights from Helsinki to Hong Kong, Seoul and, from November 19, 2010, to New York.
Industry sources claim that the future for Finnair Cargo will be a JV with Jeff Air, with Finnair Cargo holding a minority stake, but this remains unconfirmed and un-commented upon by Finnair.
Both aircraft will be transferring to their new owner shortly into 2011. One aircraft is currently used by Finnair Cargo on its freighter route net, the other is in Singapore for conversion to freighter.
Finnair Cargo's future is thus unsettled.
-It is natural that in this connection we have had during several month multi-level contacts and discussions with Mr. Neff. As I have stated before, from commercial and operational point of view Finnair and Finnair Cargo are evaluating various possibilities for continuing cargo only operations either alone or with partners, says Antero Lahtinen, Finnair Cargo managing director.
-Also leasing aircraft or purchasing cargo capacity from outside is an option the same way we have done in the past. We are working with several potential scenarios, and we believe Helsinki Airport will develop well to become important air cargo hub, says Mr Lahtinen.
Finnair re-introduced own freighter services with converted MD-11 passenger aircraft from May 10, 2010, and currently offers freighter flights from Helsinki to Hong Kong, Seoul and, from November 19, 2010, to New York.
Industry sources claim that the future for Finnair Cargo will be a JV with Jeff Air, with Finnair Cargo holding a minority stake, but this remains unconfirmed and un-commented upon by Finnair.