Flex Air Cargo launches with A330 pax-freighter charters

Czech Republic-based startup Flex Air Cargo last week began offering cargo charter services, including cool-chain transport, using both long-term and temporary widebody capacity with A330-200 and -300 passenger freighters with modified cabins. While Flex Air Cargo, founded in March 2021, currently uses other aircraft service providers during the startup phase, the company and its undisclosed investor partner are currently in discussions with lessors to acquire its first aircraft on lease, Tomas Hajek, Flex Air Cargo’s co-founder and vice president of logistics, told Air Cargo World . “We are in negotiations with various aircraft lessors to start with an ACMI-type aircraft and operation, and once that part of the operation is established, we will be working on obtaining our own air operator certificate and establishing our flight operations department,” said Hajek. “In the long-term scenario, we see expansion up to three airframes. Within five years from now, we are planning to operate a fleet of six aircraft.” [caption id="attachment_95603" align="alignright" width="400"] An A330 reconfigured by Lufthansa Technik. Photo/Lufthansa Technik[/caption] Hajek did not specify which providers Flex Air Cargo is currently working with, but there are more than 20 European operators of A330-200 and -300 passenger freighters, including Finnair, Iberia, Lufthansa, Maleth-Aero and Turkish Airlines, according to the Cargo Facts passenger freighter database . While the launch of a new charter outfit comes at a time of high demand for air cargo, securing aircraft amidst a global capacity shortage comes with a set of challenges, especially as a startup, Hajek explained. “Two barriers that come to mind are firstly, convincing service providers that you are serious about starting and developing the company and, secondly, the availability of suitable aircraft,” he said. “We have been able to overcome these barriers by providing a detailed business plan to the various service providers, and secondly by being open to various aircraft options in the current marketplace.” While the startup is looking to support Czech imports and exports with high-volume cargo capacity, Hajek said Flex Air Cargo’s larger goal is to serve the global market, specifically East Asia, North America, Africa and China. The charter company is currently able to transport e-commerce goods, medical supplies and perishables. “The most popular cargo routes these days are out of China — Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Tianjin (TSN), Xiamen (XMN), Zhengzhou (CGO) — heading to Europe,” said Hajek. “Also, the air bridge between Europe and North America is very busy.” Immediate industry response has been positive, said Hajek. Flex Air Cargo operates with carriers equipped with Envirotainers to transport temperature-sensitive pharma and perishable shipments, ensuring that all ground handling partners have accurate information and standard operating procures ready when cool-chain loads need to be transported, said Hajek.

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