AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has reported an impressive 17 per cent increase in tonnage carried across its global network in the first half of 2015.

The airline transported over 218,000 tonnes in the six months ended 30 June 2015 and saw a 22 per cent rise in freight tonne-kilometres. ABC achieved a load factor of 67 per cent during the half-year, maintaining a level much higher than the industry average.

The airline’s tonnage in June was up 16 per cent year-on-year and surpassed the growth rate of 11 per cent reported in May.

During the first six months of the year, ABC said it has intensified its efforts to grow business in key markets with the addition of extra frequencies and transportation options for customers via the airline’s hub at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. On its core trade lanes between Europe and China, ABC recorded a 26 per cent growth in tonnage eastbound and a six per cent improvement in westbound traffic in the reporting period to maintain its strong position in both markets, despite weakening European imports.

AirBridgeCargo also expanded its presence on Europe-US routes with additional B747 freighter services from Frankfurt to Chicago. During the first six months of 2015, the airline carried over 6,200 tonnes of cargo westbound between its European and North American gateways.

Further expansion in the North American region and clear focus on making its presence in the US stronger was realised with the launch of Los Angeles services and adding more flights from ABC’s well-established online stations of Chicago and Dallas, enabling ABC to reach double-digit growth figures in the US market as well. The airline transported over 20,280 tonnes of freight from North America in the first six months of the year.

Denis Ilin, ABC’s executive president, said: “AirBridgeCargo is progressively developing as a global air cargo carrier and continues to invest heavily in its fleet, human resources and route network development to support its clients’ global supply chains. With the positive response from customers to our existing and new services, stable growth rates, healthy load factors and our client-oriented international team, ABC is very well placed to bring in additional capacity later this year in front of the high season. We expect a stable rather than fantastic peak cargo season and we look forward to our volumes continuing to gain momentum towards the end of the year.”