Just 8 weeks after CFG received notification of CargoLogicAir’s apparent first step into liquidation, the Stansted-based freighter operator has taken to the air again – coincidentally, and perhaps fittingly for the UK’s only maindeck freighter operator, on England’s national day, 23APR20.
Earlier in the week, a recent CargoLogicAir Limited manager confirmed to CFG that the airline’s management was in close cooperation with the UK CAA to resume its operations, saying “I hope
they will be successful as there is a large demand for full freighter solutions.” The UK CAA had, on request of the company, previously suspended the airline’s Operating License and Air
Operator Certificate for a period of three months from 27FEB20, which would have placed the airline in hibernation until the end of MAY20.
At the time, it was the dramatic drop in demand from CargoLogicAir’s key Chinese market, that was a main reason for the suspension request, and yet it is precisely this market now that
CargoLogicAir will again be servicing with two of its B747-400s, in a current environment that has seen cargo rates soar in response to tight capacity and the need for urgent supply solutions.
Who would have forecast the current dramatic global situation back then?

AOC suspension lifted
On 22APR20, the UK CAA issued a statement reading: “CargoLogicAir, has had its operating license and air operator’s certificate suspension lifted in order for them to provide cargo flights
using two Boeing 747 aircraft on contracts to provide medical supplies.”
Of its two aircraft G-CLAA and G-CLBA, both in Leipzig (LEJ), Germany, until now, the first made its way to Krasnoyarsk (KJA) today on its way reportedly to China, to bring back PPE (Personal
Protective Equipment) to the UK. The first of a number of medical flights, though the company is planning on a permanent comeback, and is hoping to expand again in the future. A spokesperson told
AirCargoNews recently “CLA’s leadership has managed not only to reinstate the organization as the airline and guarantee the employment opportunities in this turbulent time, but also to
provide logistics support to the sourcing of the medical supplies to the UK when it is most needed. CLA’s new strategy encompasses the existing experience together with the new management and
organizational model that should allow CLA to operate as a successful incumbent on the global market.”

Are more rising up from the tomb?
With cargo airlines running on full steam (a recent CH-Aviation web conference on 22APR20, revealed that between 95-98% of registered cargo aircraft were flying in the crisis, as opposed to
passenger groundings of between 40% and 90%), currently, CargoLogicAir is not alone in its comeback. Earlier this month, Atlas Air reactivated four of its parked freighters. Remains to be seen if
Air Cargo Global over in Slovakia will also take to the skies again? That said, Bratislava Airport remains closed since 13MAR20.
Brigitte Gledhill
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