Canadian carriers find maindeck fascination with South America

by Payload Asia

KF Cargo, previously known as Kelowna Flightcraft, has reactivated its two DC-10-30 freighters  following the start of a new air charter contract on 15 April to move freight from Miami International Airport (MIA) to South America in time for the peak flower traffic for Mother’s Day.

KF CargoThe new charter contract sees KF Cargo flying three-times a week to Bogotá, Colombia with a similar frequency to Caracas’  Simón Bolivar Airport in Venezula, and onwards to Lima International Airport in Peru.

“We proudly welcome KF Cargo to our roster of 41 all-cargo airlines, and we wish them the greatest success in their expansion to MIA and into our bustling Latin American trade routes,” said Emilio T. González, director, Miami-Dade Aviation. “As the busiest US airport for international freight and as the cargo gateway of the Americas, MIA’s extensive route network and trade infrastructure continue to attract new cargo carriers.”

KF Cargo lost its key contract providing overnight service to Canadian express company, Purolator, last year. The carrier then began an intercontinental long-haul route between Toronto and Brussels, using its un-utilised DC 10–30Fs, supported by its Canadian network using B727-200 freighters. That service was cancelled earlier this year when the route proved unprofitable.

Meanwhile Air Canada Cargo is set to launch two new services from Toronto, the first to Lima via Atlanta and the second to Mexico City via Dallas/Fort Worth. Subject to regulatory approval, the new services are scheduled to start 9 June and will make Air Canada the only provider of direct scheduled freighter service between Canada and Latin America.

CargoJet_767300-Cargo-Door-2The service is being operated by Canada’s Cargojet Airways under an ACMI deal using its 52-tonne capacity B767-300ER freighters.  Air Canada Cargo also plans to introduce dedicated freighter service from Toronto to, as yet unspecified, European destinations in the second half of 2016.

Lise-Marie Turpin full size“Working with Cargojet, we are able to leverage and build upon Air Canada’s extensive North American and international networks,” said Air Canada Cargo vice president Lise-Marie Turpin. “We look forward to continuing to grow our dedicated freighter network to Europe later this year and for a successful and mutually beneficial relationship with Cargojet into the future.”