ATLANTIC AIRLINES, a long established British owned specialised freight carrier based at Coventry Airport, has introduced the BAe ATP-F aircraft, the first two of which will be containerised examples and used to support contracts within the European overnight Express industry. A third aircraft is currently being converted and is planned to be made available on an ad hoc charter basis to the cargo charter market. "With its 8.2-tonne capacity the ATP fits in perfectly with our long term plans", said Atlantic managing director Russell Ladkin. "Our 15-tonne capacity Electra fleet remains unbeatable in its class competing head on with the similar capacity, although higher cost Boeing 737-300. At the larger end of the market our pair of 27-tonne TU 204 have proved solid and reliable and we have reacted to a number of our existing clients who required the flexible capacity of a smaller freighter that could integrate with their current systems and at a more economically attractive cost base than was previously available." Mr Ladkin said that plans called for five ATP in operation during 2006 and a nine aircraft fleet towards the end of 2007. Another new customer for the ubiquitous cargo aircraft is First Flight Couriers of India, who will be taking three aircraft later in 2006. India”s largest courier company is to start domestic freighter operations.
http://www.atlanticairlines.co.uk