A new UK-based cargo airline, One Air, has been given clearance for take-off following the awarding of its Air Operators’ Certificate by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). After successfully completing its proving flight in July 2022 and following the application process for an Operating Licence, the new airline is now fully approved to commence operations. One Air expects initial demand for flights from the UK to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia regions. It will also ultimately offer freighter services to China and the US. One Air has dry leased its first B747 freighter and is now the only UK operator of the B747. Its business model calls for the addition of a second B747-400 in 2023. Headquartered in Kingston, close to London Heathrow, One Air has recruited a team of 90 air cargo and aviation professionals for its launch, including ground operations, engineering and maintenance, crew training, crew management, finance, and HR specialists, and a 40-strong aircrew with pilots recruited from Cathay Pacific, Emirates Airline, Norwegian Airlines, and other major carriers.
Paul Bennett, CEO of One Air (third left), and members of the airline’s executive team: David Tattersall, Chief Technical Officer, Chris Hope, Chief Operating Officer, and Jon Hartley, Chief Financial Officer.
The CEO of One Air, Paul Bennett, commented at the start of the commercial operations by saying, “The important role freighter services played in supporting the UK economy and the public throughout the pandemic demonstrated the level of demand which exists for a British cargo airline. We are proud to be meeting this need and to have the opportunity to leverage longstanding business relationships with freight forwarders, logistics providers, and charter brokers serving the UK market. We expect to add our second 747F later this year and have the financial resources to grow in line with the level of demand we see.”
One Air has appointed Air One Aviation as its first Global Sales Agency, while Dnata will act as the airline’s handling agent in London Heathrow. One Air has also partnered with ESP to provide software and helpdesk support, Leon for its crew training and rostering, CHAMP for its weight and balance system, and PPS for flight planning. Aero People and Altitude Global will provide line maintenance at London Heathrow, with Hangar 901 acting as One Air’s partner for hangar maintenance.
The first aircraft to be operated by the new airline, G-UNET is no stranger to Ireland as the aircraft has taken numerous training flights between Cardiff and Shannon in recent weeks where it was photographed by Malcolm Nason. The aircraft was originally built for GECAS and delivered to Air Canada in 1991. The aircraft was converted to a full cargo configuration in 2005 and has operated for Air China Cargo, Air ACT of Turkey, Air Cargo Global, and AeroTransCargo before it was delivered to One Air in 2022.
