Air Charter Service readies cargo capacity with BAe6 146 freighter to combat post-BREXIT disruption

With the Brexit transition period ending on January 1, Air Charter Service has started to secure exclusive capacity for its customers by contracting a UK-registered BAe 146 freighter. The aircraft is potentially the first of several options that ACS is securing in order to ensure that, in the scramble for capacity due to Brexit disruption, it can continue to offer its clients competitive solutions. As the aircraft is UK-registered, there will be no need for permits to fly into the country. Dan Morgan-Evans, Group Cargo Director, Air Charter Service, says, “Whether there is a trade deal between the UK and EU or not, it is clear that there will be disruption ahead at the UK border. According to government statistics, if even a small percentage of cargo coming through the UK’s sea ports in January requires transportation by air due to the disruption, there would be a significant requirement for airfreight – the equivalent of filling thousands of Boeing B747 freighters, in some scenarios. With the continued lack of belly capacity potentially exacerbated in January by this anticipated spike in demand, charter aircraft will have to pick up the shortfall.
“The Bae 146 was identified as an ideal aircraft in many of our simulated scenarios, which included looking at the possibility of landing at smaller airports in the event of cargo congestion at major airports. However, there are a limited number available, especially on the G register. Whilst we can already source all the 146’s on the market reactively like many other brokers, we felt that exclusive use of this aircraft would give ACS customers an advantage, should the situation escalate. We have a long history of dealing with these sorts of situations and know very well that relying on being ‘first come first served’ once demand has already spiked is not best for our customers – especially those who have last-minute requirements.”
The aircraft offers 12 tonnes of gross payload with a total volume of around 120m³. With the roller bed floors being removed, the aircraft can also be bulk loaded.
Morgan-Evans concludes, “We would advise all of our customers to get in touch with potential requirements sooner rather than later. Even if you do not have firm requirements at this stage, starting the conversation sooner rather than later helps us move quickly in order to ensure clients do not miss out.”