United adds Atlanta cargo flights

United Airlines has launched cargo flights between Atlanta and Frankfurt, Germany, to meet growing demand to transport a variety of commodities. The cargo-only flights on Boeing 787-10s started Jan. 10. They’re part of the more than 9,500 cargo-only flights the Chicago-based airline has operated since mid-march 2020. With the number of international passenger flights cut, so is the availability of belly cargo space, driving demand for more dedicated cargo flights.

What’s behind it

United, Delta Air Lines and other carriers started using idled passenger planes for cargo-only flights after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in travel demand.

German carrier Lufthansa also operates freighter flights between Atlanta and Frankfurt, and cargo demand drove Delta to resume flights to the German city out of Atlanta last year.

Expansion plans

Separately, Hartsfield-jackson International Airport is moving forward with plans for a new cargo facility.

The airport is looking for a company to develop the long-envisioned cargo building. This month, Hartsfield-jackson issued a request for proposals. It would be the Atlanta airport’s first such air cargo public-private partnership, a concept in the works since before the pandemic started.

A company that develops the building could sublease space to other tenants that could handle cargo for airlines. The company would have to prepare airport land for construction of the facility, which would have access to the airfield.

Airport officials envision “the marriage of underlying digital and technology innovation” to make Hartsfield-jackson more attractive for air freight. They decided to move forward on the project after gauging market interest over the last year. The airport is accepting formal proposals from companies until March 4.

The air cargo expansion at Hartsfield-jackson will drive economic growth in the region and create more jobs, officials from the airport and City of Atlanta have said.

AJC FILE Workers prep cargo for flight in one of several huge bays that house part of Hartsfield-jackson International Airport’s cargo operation. With the number of international passenger flights cut, so is availability of belly cargo space, driving demand for more dedicated cargo flights.