AIR ONE starts scheduled freighter flights linking UK, Europe, Middle East & Asia
Services to run four times a week using 747-400Fs; ATC Aviation to handle sales across Europe, UK, and Ireland.
AIR ONE is expanding its all-cargo service portfolio with the launch of scheduled Boeing 747-400 freighter operations, connecting major freight markets in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The services will begin on 2 September 2025.
The new schedule includes four weekly flights from East Midlands Airport in the UK and Liege, Belgium, to Dubai World Central and Hong Kong. Return flights will operate from Hong Kong back to both EMA and LGG. These services will be operated by AIR ONE’s affiliated British cargo airline, using its fleet of Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
To market outbound scheduled cargo services from 22 countries in mainland Europe, along with the UK and Ireland, AIR ONE has appointed ATC Aviation Services as its general sales and service agent. For the return leg, AIR ONE’s own sales team in Hong Kong will handle bookings from Hong Kong to Belgium and the UK. In addition to air services, customers will also have access to a wide road feeder transport network covering key airports across the UK and Europe for both inbound and outbound cargo.
Peter Scholten, Chief Commercial Officer at AIR ONE, stated that this new scheduled service marks a strategic shift for the company. “Launching scheduled cargo services is a new strategic step for AIR ONE and a natural extension and progression of our successful charter and wet lease operations,” he said. Over the last five years, AIR ONE has completed over 3,750 full charters and moved more than 345,000 tonnes of cargo to over 100 destinations worldwide.
AIR ONE currently manages a fleet of 11 Boeing 747-400 freighters across three airline partners, including two nose-loading aircraft. The company plans to expand its fleet further in 2025 and 2026.
Guneet Mirchandani, Executive Chairman of AIR ONE, said the company sees strong potential in the scheduled cargo market. “With the support of our experienced in-house cargo team and our chosen airline, GSSA, and handling partners, we see a strong opportunity to establish AIR ONE in the scheduled cargo market,” he said.
Ingo Zimmer, CEO of ATC Aviation Services AG, also expressed confidence in the partnership. “We are very proud to represent this fast-growing freighter airline as its GSSA in most of the European countries,” he added.
