October 27 - Scheduled to commence in March 2017, IAG Cargo is adding a direct route between its hub at London Heathrow airport and New Orleans International airport.
The new route is the air cargo industry's first and only direct connection between the two airports, according to IAG Cargo.
It will be served by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which features belly hold capacity up to 15 tonnes and an air conditioning system that can maintain hold temperatures within one degree of accuracy.
Flights will operate four times a week to and from New Orleans, and the airline's commercial director, David Shepherd said: "The launch of our new Critical product in particular will mean emergency shipments, which we anticipate will include machinery parts and oil and gas components from the local area, now benefit from an absolute guarantee to fly."
IAG Cargo notes that Louisiana has a GDP of USD243.3 billion and New Orleans is the largest city in the state, with perishables, oil and machinery parts being key export commodities from the region.
