More Modern, Economical Aircraft For Cargo Flights
The inaugural flight of Ukraine International Airlines new
Boeing 737-300SF freighter marks a new era in cargo services in
Ukraine.
At 1640 local time on July 9, Ukraine International Airlines
operated its inaugural flight number PS4998 of its new Boeing
737-300SF freighter that was ordered earlier this year.
The first flight to Vienna International Airport (VIE) was
operated jointly with Austrian Airlines and returned to Ukraine
with 17 tons of cargo. The airline says this aircraft marks a major
change in capacity and flexibility, as in the past the majority of
cargo operations were on older aircraft -- many of which are now
unable to fly into the EU due to new noise and emissions
standards.
"The start of operations using the Boeing 737-300SF freighter
marks a new era in cargo services offered by UIA," said Peter
Kukharchuk, UIA Logistics and Cargo Director. "The aircraft
represents the latest technology in cargo management and complies
with best international standards of fuel efficiency, payload
capacity, environmental friendliness and features world-class
standards of cargo services, including transportation of
perishables, bulky and oversized cargos."
To increase possibilities for cargo transportation for its
clients within a renewed Cargo Solutions Portfolio, UIA has
partnered with Austrian Airlines, European Cargo Services (ECS) and
the international courier company TNT.
ECS, with its integrated network of 32 subsidiaries in 22
countries, acts as a general sales agent for UIA Cargo worldwide
and will provide extensive sales support for inbound cargo and mail
into or via Ukraine. UIA has cooperated with ECS since the early
nineties. As of 2008, TNT will act as a code-share carrier with UIA
on routes from Kiev to Vienna, Vienna to TNT's international hub at
Liege Airport and the Liege to Kyiv route.
Flights to Vienna will be operated three times a week and
effective September 1, 2008, the frequency of weekly flights will
be increased to five. Additionally in September, five flights to
Liege Airport via Vienna International Airport will be added.
"The need for high-quality cargo services as a result of
Ukraine's ever growing international trade is at its highest and
UIA, with this recent addition to our fleet, is well equipped to
offer guaranteed and mission-critical cargo services," said Richard
Creagh, UIA Deputy President. "We intend to expand our cargo fleet
with the arrival of a second Boeing 737-300SF freighter aircraft in
2009 and are seeking to develop Ukraine's strategic position as a
cargo hub between European and Eastern destinations."