Grimsey is an island located right on the Artic Circle, 40 km off Iceland's northernmost Akureyri community. Roughly 100 people call it their home as do thousands of puffins and other species of seabirds. Now the island, so far only known by locals and insiders, has received a flying ambassador: A converted Boeing 767-300 freighter baring its name. It belongs to Iceland Air Cargo’s fleet and is the carrier’s first B767F, with more to come.
Since December 8th, “Grimsey” is connecting Liège Airport in Belgium with Keflavik International in Iceland, which is best known as an important stop-over for passengers and cargo consignments traveling between Europe and the U.S. Asked about the naming of the aircraft, Icelandair Cargo’s station manager at LGG says that his company has decided to name new aircraft after islands located offshore Iceland. According to Wikipedia, that's a total of 43. Based on this number, the Nordic airline's fleet is expected to grow strongly in the coming years (sic !!).
More ops, more capacity
But back to here and now: “Grimsey” complements Icelandair’s aging cargo fleet of B757Fs that serve Liege with 6 to 8 weekly flights. The comparably larger B767F ups the overall capacity since
the aircraft is capable of uplifting nearly 50% more freight compared to the B757-200F. Thanks to the new Boeing 767-300F, the Icelandic airline will continue to expand its air freight operation
with 6 more flights per week from and to Liège Airport, announces the company. At LGG, Swissport takes care of the ground handling.
Additional destinations
Thanks to the new freighter, the network offered to cargo customers by airlines operating at Liege Airport is enlarged. Since its first landing on 08DEC22, three weekly flights to New York and
three from LGG, via Keflavik to Chicago O’Hare Airport are added to the transatlantic services of Icelandair Cargo. Freighter flights to Los Angeles will also be included in the network come
April, 2023. Then, the second B767B2F is scheduled to be handed over by Boeing’s converters to the Nordic carrier. Boeing’s B767-300F “opens up new lanes for LGG and connects our airport with
additional destinations in the U.S. market. This way, new doors are opened by the aircraft,” states Frédéric Brun, Head of Commercial Cargo & Logistics at Liège Airport.
Less noise emissions
The B767-300 can carry up to 49 tons per flight. This way the weekly capacity offered to the market is increased by 500 to 600 tons. Mr. Brun points out that noise reduction is an important
aspect in today’s aviation and taken very seriously by LGG. “This new aircraft offers a substantial advantage in reducing noise emissions,” he emphasizes, hoping that the Walloon
politicians will also hear this message!
Laurent Jossart, CEO of Liege Airport adds to this: “These new [freighter] acquisitions made by Icelandair Cargo reflect the airline’s dynamic performance and ambitions. Liege Airport is
delighted to welcome this new aircraft.”
Horses and more
The Walloon Airport ranks among Europe’s leading airports for live animal transport (predominantly Iceland-bred and show horses) as well as for fresh and perishables goods which require
appropriate handling. Over the years, Liege Airport has gathered a lot of expertise and made a name of itself in these specific and delicate transport segments, which is internationally
recognized meanwhile, states LGG’s helmsman.
Heiner Siegmund
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