Cargoitalia receives converted MD11 freighter
Italy-based all-cargo airline Cargoitalia said Friday it has taken delivery of its third MD11 freighter since the company relaunched under new ownership and management in 2009.
The latest MD11 was converted by SASCO of Singapore, a Boeing subcontractor, and will enter scheduled service in September, operating the airline's recently announced twice-weekly Milan/Shanghai flights, which will be stepped up to three times per week from October.
Cargoitalia also operates from Italy to Hong Kong, Dubai and the United States, and said it plans to attract more Italian air freight that has been trucked to other European air cargo hubs.
The company also said it is turning its attention to a new development phase from 2012, when it intends to acquire new freighter aircraft and phase out MD11 operations.
'To properly satisfy the demands of our own market, we must continue to grow,' said Cargoitalia Managing Director Giacomo Manzon. 'For our longer-term future, we must look at every available aircraft option, and maximum fuel efficiency is predictably top of our agenda. New generation aircraft with their leaner fuel burn are essential if we are to maintain the successful growth of our business, and realize our full potential.'
Cargoitalia receives converted MD11 freighter