Airfreight carrier Virgin Atlantic Cargo has extended its cargo-only network with its first-ever service between London Heathrow and Norway.
The company's first official flight between Heathrow and the international airport in Evenes Municipality in Nordland County will depart on 3 February, 2021, after which the airline will offer twice-weekly flights on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, offering over 100 metric tons (MT) of capacity each week. The route will primarily serve the Norwegian seafood industry, and is expected to carry large quantities of fresh salmon, as well as cod and crab.
The new service will offer connections via London Heathrow into Virgin Atlantic’s global network. For exports to the United States, the service will allow cargo to reach its destination up to 72 hours faster than current solutions through Oslo, the airline said.
“Virgin Atlantic Cargo continues to expand at pace, and this exciting new launch is testament to the innovative spirit of our business. Norway is our 11th new cargo destination in 12 months, and we’re now able to offer customers a fast, efficient cargo service via London Heathrow onto the rest of our network,” Virgin Atlantic Cargo Managing Director Dominic Kennedy said.
Flying a wide-body aircraft into Harstad/Narvik airport at Evenes initially posed challenges for the Virgin Atlantic team, including limited hours of daylight per day, cold and windy weather – with winter temperatures reaching highs of just negative 2 degrees Celsius – as well as de-icing requirements. Working closely with counterparts of the Kuehne+Nagel global logistics company, Virgin Atlantic Cargo conducted online staff training, and all pilots took part in special training for the unique approaches and departures they will experience. Eventually, the company was able to launch a test flight on 27 January.
“What sounded impossible has quickly developed into an innovative solution. Together with our partner, Virgin Atlantic Cargo, we are now able to provide our customers in Northern Norway a service that is not only reliable and secure, but also gives them the fastest possible access to their market,” Kuehne+Nagel’s Global Head Perishables and Carrier Management Air Logistics Dennis Verkooy said. “The new route will ensure that temperature-sensitive products will arrive on time and in perfect condition with maximum freshness to consumers."
Photo courtesy of Virgin Atlantic Cargo
