One Air has added a third Boeing 747 freighter to its fleet.
The B747-400ERF joins One Air on a five-year lease from AeroTransCargo and has completed its first flight for the airline from Hong Kong to East Midlands Airport.
An original Boeing-built freighter, it is the first aircraft in One Air’s fleet to offer a nose door as well as a side door for loading and unloading. The 400ERF version also offers a higher payload capacity of up to 124 tonnes. In support of its third aircraft, One Air has recruited 27 flight crew and support staff, taking the total workforce at its UK headquarters to over 125.
Earlier this year, One Air started regular flights using East Midlands Airport for UK flight operations. With its favourable slot availability and fewer restrictions for all-cargo aircraft, the central UK airport is now the destination point for One Air’s weekly flights from Hong Kong.
One Air commenced B747F flights in July 2023 after receiving its AOC certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and added a second 747-400 aircraft to its fleet in December to support its growing flying programme between China/Hong Kong and Europe. Most recently, as well as ad hoc charter flights, One Air has been execuring a contract for seven B747F flights a week between Hong Kong and Europe carrying general cargo.
The airline’s future fleet plans include adding at least one more freighter in the first half of 2025, according to Paul Bennett, One Air’s chairman and ceo.
