One Air is one step closer to becoming the newest cargo airline in the United Kingdom. The startup carrier was awarded an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority last week.With only one aircraft in its fleet, the secured AOC makes One Air the only airline in the UK to operate the Boeing 747. The carrier dry leased the jumbo freighter jet to commence service and plans to grow its fleet later this year.
Meeting the need
According to ch-aviation, One Air will schedule cargo charters between the UK, Europe, destinations in the Middle East, and Asia. As its operation gets underway, the London Stansted-based airline also hopes to provide service to China and the United States. The carrier has obtained a Third Country Operator permit with the European Union (EU) and the British AOC but has yet to apply for a US Foreign Air Carrier Permit and exemption.
Paul Bennett, One Air's Majority Owner and Chief Executive, said the airline is proud to begin its operation, according to ch-aviation.
"We are proud to be meeting this need and to have the opportunity to leverage longstanding business relationships with freight forwarders, logistics providers, and charter brokers serving the UK market.”
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The fleet so far
A single 747-400 freighter comprises the airline's fleet. Registered as G-UNET, the nearly 32-year-old jumbo cargo jet was dry leased in May of 2022 and has been used for the carrier to prove flights, according to ch-aviation. Data from FlightRadar24.com indicates that the aircraft spent the past two months flying training flights between Cardiff Airport and Shannon, Ireland. With the swift retirements of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic's 747-400s in 2020 and 2021, G-UNET is the only 747 in active operation in the UK. Soon, One Air will add another 747 freighter, according to Bennett.
"We expect to add our second B747 freighter later this year and have the financial resources to grow in line with the level of demand we see," he said in a statement to ch-aviation.
Supporting the UK economy
According to Aviation Source News, One Air is headquartered near Heathrow Airport in Kingston. To prepare for its launch, the airline has recruited nearly 100 employees from ground operations to engineering and maintenance. New employees also include crew training individuals, workers in management, finance, and specialists in HR. 40 employees consist of its crew, with pilots joining the airline from other carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Norwegian Airlines.
"We will be supporting British businesses and the UK economy, starting with the 90 direct jobs in our own organization and the countless secondary jobs we are creating with our partners and suppliers," said Chris Hope, One Air's Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager to Aviation Source News.
Hope has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He spoke about the carrier's unique approach and how it plans to grow.
"One Air has a forward-thinking and customer-centric approach and we will use our entrepreneurial spirit and resources to grow sustainably," he explained.
Bennett does not doubt there will be demand as it begins its cargo charter service.
"The important role freighter services played in supporting the UK economy and the public throughout the pandemic demonstrated the level of demand which exists for a British cargo airline," he said.
A specific launch timeline or date is unclear, but the airline said it would review its fleet plans and consider the possibility of other aircraft types being welcomed into its fleet later in the year.
Sources: ch-aviation, Aviation Source News