Virgin Atlantic posts strong cargo growth in Chicago

The British airline says June volume set a record for its main Midwest gateway.    Virgin Atlantic Cargo said its cargo volume for the Chicago gateway climbed more than 30 percent in June from a year ago to 860 tons.
   The carrier contributed to an 8.6 percent increase in international tonnage at O’Hare International Airport. The airport handled 99,017 tons of import and export freight in June and 144,191 tons overall. International freight jumped 29 percent in the first half of the year to 622,438 tons compared to 2014, partly because shippers are seeking to avoid congestion at some seaports.
   The United Kingdom is the top destination for Virgin Atlantic, with 53 percent of freight originating in Chicago going to London. 
   The airline said shipments in June included printed matter, works of art and Corvette race cars heading to the Le Mans 24-hour race in France.
   Traffic from London to Chicago has grown almost as much with an increase of more than 16 percent in the first six months of the year and a 100 percent load factor with perishable shipments such as fresh fish, flowers and vegetables, plus art and apparel.
   In 2014, Virgin Atlantic achieved a 7 percent increase in tonnage from Chicago.