British Airways World Cargo Company Profile and Fleet Details

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British Airways World Cargo is a global cargo airline that operates a fleet of aircraft to transport goods and cargo around the world. It's a subsidiary of British Airways and offers a range of services to meet the needs of its customers.

British Airways World Cargo operates a fleet of 27 aircraft, including Boeing 747-400ERFs, Boeing 777Fs, and Airbus A330-200Fs. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure safe and efficient transportation of cargo.

The airline's fleet is strategically located at key airports around the world, including London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Dubai International. This allows for quick and convenient connections to major markets and destinations.

Company Overview

British Airways World Cargo is a leading cargo airline that operates a global network of flights.

The airline was founded in 1974 as a separate division of British Airways, focusing on cargo transportation.

With a fleet of dedicated Boeing 747-400F and 777F aircraft, British Airways World Cargo offers a range of services to meet the needs of its customers.

History

DHL cargo plane taxiing on a runway at an airport on a clear day with cityscape background.
Credit: pexels.com, DHL cargo plane taxiing on a runway at an airport on a clear day with cityscape background.

British Airways first opened a World Cargo centre at Heathrow in the late 1990s, handling over 80,000 tons of unusual and premium cargo, as well as fresh produce, every year.

The company expanded its cargo operations to London's Gatwick and Stansted airports, and through its partner British Airways Regional Cargo, to all main regional airports throughout the UK.

British Airways World Cargo operated an automated cargo centre at London Heathrow Airport, making it an efficient and high-tech cargo handling facility.

The organisation ended operations on 30 April 2014, after being fully merged into IAG Cargo, without continuing dedicated cargo flights.

British Airways World Cargo also had a base for long-haul freighter services at London Stansted Airport, showcasing its commitment to cargo operations.

In 2015, a new all-cargo airline, CargoLogicAir, commenced operations, receiving some staff from Global Supply Systems, marking a new chapter in cargo operations.

About

We're a company that's been around for over 20 years, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services.

Close-up view of Astral Aviation cargo plane mid-flight against cloudy sky.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up view of Astral Aviation cargo plane mid-flight against cloudy sky.

Our team is comprised of experienced professionals who are passionate about what they do, with an average of 10 years of industry experience each.

We've worked with a wide range of clients, from small startups to large corporations, and have a deep understanding of their unique needs and challenges.

Our headquarters is located in a major city, with easy access to airports, public transportation, and amenities.

We're committed to innovation and continuous improvement, with a dedicated R&D team that's always looking for ways to improve our products and services.

Operations

British Airways World Cargo operates air freight services under the British Airways mark, making it the twelfth-largest aircraft on the planet by total freight ton-kilometres flown.

The airline offers cargo services through its primary fleet of aircraft, as well as committed freighter aircraft working under a wet rent agreement with Global Supply Systems.

British Airways Cargo has special facilities, including cold rooms, freeze rooms, rooms for radioactive materials, live animals' rooms, and human remains facilities.

Fleet

Japan Air Lines Cargo Plane in Air with Blue Sky
Credit: pexels.com, Japan Air Lines Cargo Plane in Air with Blue Sky

At the time of our records, British Airways World Cargo's fleet consisted of a mix of dedicated freighters and leased aircraft.

The airline had a small fleet of its own, including three Boeing 747-8F aircraft, which were wet-leased from Global Supply Systems and phased out gradually.

BA World Cargo also made use of space on dedicated freighters operated by other carriers.

Some of the aircraft types used by these carriers included the Boeing 707-320C, the Boeing 747-200F, and the Boeing 747-400F.

The airline also used the Vickers 953c Merchantman, a unique aircraft type that added to the diversity of its fleet.

Here's a breakdown of some of the aircraft types used by BA World Cargo:

  • Boeing 747-8F (3 aircraft, leased from Global Supply Systems)
  • Boeing 707-320C
  • Boeing 747-200F
  • Boeing 747-400F
  • Vickers 953c Merchantman

Destinations

BA World Cargo operated a wide range of destinations, including Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia, North America, and Europe from their London-Stansted base.

They used the main British Airways fleet for these operations.

Until the end of March 2014, they also operated dedicated long-haul services under a wet lease arrangement from Global Supply Systems, utilizing three Boeing 747-8 freighter aircraft.

Service

Trigana Air cargo plane flying against a clear blue sky, showcasing aviation in action.
Credit: pexels.com, Trigana Air cargo plane flying against a clear blue sky, showcasing aviation in action.

At British Airways, the cargo service is a crucial part of their operations. They operate under the name BA Cargo, which is used in global air cargo marketing.

The cargo service is available through their primary fleet of aircraft, which is impressive given that British Airways Cargo was the twelfth-largest aircraft on the planet by total freight ton-kilometres flown.

Their cargo services cater to a variety of needs, including cold storage, with facilities that include cold rooms. They also have freeze rooms for even more sensitive goods.

In addition to temperature-controlled storage, British Airways Cargo has a room for radioactive materials, demonstrating their ability to handle unique and specialized cargo. They also have a room for live animals.

A sensitive and respectful service is provided for human remains, which is a critical aspect of their cargo operations.

Tracking and Schedule

Tracking and Schedule is a crucial aspect of British Airways Cargo's operations.

You can track your cargo by providing the AWB tracking ID to the website www.britishairways.com.

Drone shot of a railway in Poland showcasing cargo trains and tracks from above.
Credit: pexels.com, Drone shot of a railway in Poland showcasing cargo trains and tracks from above.

The tracking system offers real-time visibility of shipments from departure to arrival, providing customers with essential information for supply chain management.

To access the tracking system, simply visit the website and enter your tracking ID.

British Airways Cargo's schedule can be accessed from anywhere in the world through their website.

Visit www.britishairways.com/travel/schedules/public/en_gb to get a clear knowledge of travel schedules.

This transparency is vital for businesses and individuals alike, enabling them to monitor the status, location, and expected delivery time of their cargo.

Location

British Airways Cargo has a significant presence worldwide, with various offices across the globe. Its headquarter office is located in the United Kingdom at P.O. Box 99, London Heathrow Airport, TW6 2JS, Hounslow, UK.

The company has two active offices in China, one in Beijing and the other in Shanghai. British Airways Cargo's Beijing office is located at the BGS Cargo Terminal in the Tian Zhu Free Trade Zone.

In Shanghai, the office is situated at Room 345A, 3F, No 168 Suhang Road, Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The Shanghai office operates Monday to Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Gretchen Gerhold

Writer

Gretchen Gerhold has established herself as a prolific writer, covering a diverse range of topics including logistics, trade, and economic development. Her articles on container terminals and the logistics sector in India provide deep insights into the complexities of modern supply chain management. Focusing on the state of Kerala, her work on the economy and transport in Kochi highlights the region's significant contributions to India's economic landscape.

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