European Cargo
{{Short description|British cargo airline}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = European Cargo
| logo = European Cargo logo.png
| image = G-ECLB_A340-600.jpg
| IATA = SE
| ICAO = URO
| callsign = EURO
| hubs = Bournemouth Airport Cardiff Airport
| fleet_size = 17
| destinations = 7
| parent = European Aviation Group
| key_people = Paul Stoddart, Founder
Jason Holt
Iain Edwards
}}
European Cargo Limited is a British cargo airline based at Bournemouth Airport, England, operating a fleet of Airbus A340-600 converted freighters.{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Edward |date=2022-12-22 |title=Bournemouth-based European Cargo celebrates freighter milestone |url=https://www.aircargoweek.com/bournemouth-based-european-cargo-celebrates-freighter-milestone/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=AIR CARGO WEEK |language=en-GB}} It has a second operating base at Cardiff Airport in South Wales.
History
= PPE charter flights =
European Cargo began operations in April 2020 when its parent company, European Aviation Air Charter, responded to an urgent charter request by the UK government for PPE transport from Malaysia. The carrier operated an initial series of freight services operated by Maleth-Aero of Malta using former Virgin Atlantic A340-600 aircraft which were painted in commemorative liveries as a tribute to the British National Health Service.
= Establishment of permanent operation =
In December 2020, European Cargo Limited was registered in England and Wales,{{Cite web |title=EUROPEAN CARGO LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13097241 |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}} and shortly thereafter began to take over the operation of the A340-600 airliners from Maltese partner Maleth-Aero.{{Cite web |title=New European Freight Airline Ready For Takeoff Shortly {{!}} Aviation Week Network |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/new-european-freight-airline-ready-takeoff-shortly |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=aviationweek.com}} These aircraft were thus placed on the UK register beginning in February 2021.
European Cargo began converting its widebody fleet into permanent freight configuration (the aircraft had been operating as temporary "preighters" - passenger aircraft temporarily repurposed for freight operations) in 2022, with the first of these certified by the EASA in December of that year.[https://www.transportadvancement.com/airways/european-cargo-receives-easa-certification-for-airbus-a340-freighter-conversion-programme/] The airline also received investment from Priority 1, a US logistics broker, in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Eddie |date=2022-03-28 |title=European Cargo Limited announces investment to accelerate growth |url=https://www.caasint.com/european-cargo-limited-announces-investment-to-accelerate-growth/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=CAAS /// Cargo Airports & Airline Services |language=en-US}} In 2023, European Cargo opened a new route from Bournemouth to Chengdu,{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Damian |date=2023-05-04 |title=New all-cargo service between China and UK |url=https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/new-all-cargo-service-between-china-and-uk/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Air Cargo News |language=en}} and also began fresh fish charters between Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes and Heathrow Airport.
= Expansion and transition to Boeing 777 operations =
On 18th March 2025, European Cargo announced its intention to transition to a fleet of Boeing 777F aircraft as it continues to grow its operation.{{Cite web |last=Unlu |first=Koray |date=2025-03-18 |title=European Cargo's Bright Future & Exciting New Pilot Opportunities |url=https://european.aero/from-ceo-jason-holt-discussing-european-cargos-bright-future-and-exciting-new-pilot-opportunities/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=European Cargo |language=en-GB}}
Destinations
European Cargo currently serves the following scheduled destinations, alongside a variety of charter routes:
class="wikitable"
|+List of European Cargo destinations !Country !City !Airport !Notes |
Austria
| |
rowspan="3" |China
|Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | |
Haikou
|Haikou Meilan International Airport | |
Ürümqi
|Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport | |
France
| |
Norway
|{{Airline seasonal}} |
rowspan="3" |United Kingdom
|{{Airline hub}} |
Cardiff
|{{Airline hub}} |
London
|{{Airline seasonal}} |
Fleet
File:G-ECLB A340-600.jpg, at Bournemouth Airport in October 2023.]]
European Cargo operates a fleet of Airbus A340 airliners in both cargo and passenger configurations. Parent company European Aviation has an additional 2 Boeing 737-300s.
class="wikitable"
|+European Cargo fleet !Aircraft !Operational !Stored/Maintenance !Due !Notes |
Airbus A340-500
| - |4 | - |Former Etihad aircraft which retain their original interior |
Airbus A340-600
|4 |9 | - |Six now in permanent freight configuration |
Boeing 777F
| - | - |TBA |