Britain’s newest all-cargo airline, One Air, has successfully completed its inaugural Boeing 747-400 freighter flight.
Operating a full charter for client Shandong Glory, the 100-tonne payload arrived at London Heathrow from Jinan-Shandong, officially marking the commercial launch of this promising new airline.
A landmark achievement
Chris Hope, One Air’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed his delight and pride in this significant milestone, stating, “This is a landmark day for One Air and all our team and partners in the UK, who have worked tirelessly to prepare for our successful launch since the awarding of our AOC by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.”
“As well as ad hoc charter flights, we are now also commencing a regular flying program from Asia Pacific to Europe with two 747F flights per week. Work is also underway to add a second 747F to our fleet, which we hope will enter service in early Q4. We are delighted to be open for business.”
Vision and aspirations
One Air’s ambitious vision extends beyond this inaugural flight. The airline foresees a steady demand for flights from the UK to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia regions, with further services to China and the US in the pipeline.
As Paul Bennett, One Air’s CEO, stated, “It is a proud day for us to operate our first customer flight and marks the start of our strategic development plan to build One Air’s reputation with clients in prime air cargo markets around the world.”
The Boeing 747 Freighter
As the sole UK operator of the Boeing 747, One Air’s fleet features the dry leased B747-400SF model. This carefully selected aircraft promises superior performance and cargo capacity, making it an ideal choice for the airline’s cargo operations.
One Air has taken meticulous steps to ensure a successful launch. The airline has assembled a team of over 100 aviation and air cargo specialists based at its headquarters near London Heathrow.
The team brings extensive expertise and knowledge to ensure seamless operations and top-notch customer experiences.
Commendation and good wishes
The airline’s inaugural flight was met with high praise and commendation. Jacky Wu, General Manager of Shandong Glory, expressed his satisfaction, saying:
“We are proud to have shared this milestone with One Air and thank everyone connected with the flight from China for a highly efficient operation and customer experience.”
“It is pleasing to see a new British cargo airline take to the air, and we wish One Air great success as it works to establish its place in the global market.”
