Volga-Dnepr-backed CargoLogicAir (CLA) has completed its first series of charter flights since receiving its Air Operator Certificate from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Ahead of the launch of scheduled cargo services, the new British cargo airline’s launch customer was Chapman Freeborn Italia, the global aircraft charter specialists, which organised two B747-400 Freighter charters with CLA to Bari in Italy.

CLA’s first charter flights to Bari via Frankfurt carried a total of 113 tonnes of automotive parts, including engine base plates. Chapman Freeborn booked the charters on behalf of its freight forwarding customer, Savino del Bene.

Enrico Fantini, director cargo of Chapman Freeborn Italia, said: “We always welcome new and professional cargo airlines because they give us greater choice for our customers so we are proud to have been CargoLogicAir’s first customer. We wish the airline every success and look forward to working together again in the near future.”

Since then, CargoLogicAir has operated two further charter services for another customer from Nairobi to the UK, carrying over 200 tonnes of fresh flowers in time for St. Valentine’s Day on 14 February.

Dmitry Grishin, CEO of CargoLogicAir, said: “We are delighted to have commenced our flight operations and to have already earned the support of such a prestigious customer as Chapman Freeborn. These flights have enabled us to demonstrate our operating capabilities for global charter services, which we will continue to offer even following the launch of our first scheduled services this month.”