IAG Cargo adds transatlantic route

The airfreight carrier will launch the only cargo service between San Jose, Calif. and Europe, effective May 4, 2016.    IAG Cargo will launch a new route between its London Heathrow hub and San Jose, Calif. effective May 4, 2016. The new route will be the only cargo service to connect San Jose directly with Europe, IAG Cargo said in a statement.
   Utilizing a British Airways B787-9 aircraft, the daily service will provide seven pallets and up to 16 tons of belly-hold capacity on each flight in a fully air-conditioned hold.
   Flight BA279 will depart London Heathrow at 3:15 p.m. and arrive in San Jose at 6:05 p.m. local time. Flight BA278 will depart San Jose at 8:00 p.m. and arrive in London Heathrow at 2:05 p.m. local time the following day.
   IAG Cargo, which expects to ship perishables such as grapes and strawberries from San Jose, projects the route will also be beneficial for businesses in the hi-tech manufacturing sector that operate from Silicon Valley, a short distance from the San Jose airport.
   In addition, San Jose will be able to provide overspill support for cargo flights out of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Calif., IAG Cargo said.
   “California is one of our busiest markets, so it is important we can support fully our customers there,” said IAG Cargo CEO Steve Gunning. “In 2014 we saw the benefits of opening up another station in Texas, another of our best performing US states, when Austin came online to support Houston and Dallas. This proved hugely beneficial for our customers and we are confident the addition of San Jose will have a similar impact on businesses in California.”