CargoLogicAir, Ltd. is a British cargo airline with its headquarters in the London Heathrow Airport. After the Global Supply Systems' contract with British Airways World Cargo was terminated in January 2014, CLA effectively became the only British all-cargo airline, absorbing some of the Global Supply Systems staff. It received its Air Operator's Certificate from the UK Civil Aviation Authority in December 2015 and commenced operations soon after. The airline's fleet of two Boeing 747 aircraft operates scheduled and chartered freight services on routes between the UK, Asia, Africa and Americas. The airline temporarily suspended services on 9 February 2020 citing a downturn in demand. However, services recommenced on 23 April 2020 with the high demand of air freight capacity, plus the downturn of oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CLA has regained their AOC on 22 April 2020 and started immediately with PPE supply flights from China to the UK for the NHS on 23 April 2020. Flights are operated with their two B747-400 freighters.
History
The airline was established on 3 March 2015 and received its first aircraft, a Boeing 747-400F from Aircastle in October 2015. Chapman Freeborn Italia became CLA's first charter service customer after contracting them out in February 2016 to deliver 113 tonnes of automotive parts to Bari, Italy. CLA initiated its first scheduled services with AirBridgeCargo Airlines through an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance wet lease. The service flew from the United Kingdom to Africa twice per week, from 14 February 2016 through November 30. CLA took hold of its second aircraft and first Boeing 747-8F at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow. With advanced temperature controlled zones, this aircraft was used to transport over 100 tonnes of fresh flowers from Bogotá, Colombia to London Stansted Airport for Mother's Day in 2017. Within 18 months of starting operations the airline received its second Boeing 747-400F from AerCap in April 2017. Becoming the third in the fleet, this aircraft flew charter services through an ACMI wet lease agreement with sister company AirBridgeCargo. CLA aimed to eventually have a core fleet of five aircraft. In 2019, CLA planned to reduce its operations and restructure in response to weakening market conditions. Their 747-8 and one of their 747-400s were returned to lessors in January 2020. On February 9, CLA grounded the remainder of their fleet and laid off some of their workforce. On 24 February 2020, the airline announced the termination of all operations until further notice. CLA regained their AOC on 22 April 2020 and started immediately with supply flights from China to the UK for NHS on 23 April 2020 with their two B747-400 freighters.
Destinations
The airline launched its first scheduled operation on 19 August 2017 with twice-weekly services from London Stansted Airport to Mexico City via Atlanta. CargoLogicAir also operated flights from Houston to Prestwick then on to Frankfurt, along with routes to and from Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
