Virgin Atlantic Cargo is to launch a second daily service between London and Johannesburg in October, creating additional cargo capacity to and from South Africa.
Commencing 28 October 2018, the additional daily frequency will be operated by one of the airline’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which can carry up to 24 tonnes of cargo. The new service will provide a welcome boost for customers who contributed to Virgin Atlantic’s year-on-year growth in cargo volumes in 2017. The airline saw a 5% growth in business to South Africa and a 4% rise in tonnage ex Johannesburg.
In April, Virgin Atlantic Cargo will also be opening a local Contact Centre in Johannesburg to support their customers in South Africa.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo saw volumes reach a five-year high in 2017 and revenues rising 9% to £199.6 million, driven by strong growth in pharmaceutical and e-commerce shipments.
The airline carried 230.5 million kilos last year – up 6% on 2016 – thanks to particularly strong westbound business to the U.S. Virgin Atlantic’s new daily Heathrow-Seattle services, launched last March, performed above expectations and there were strong, double-digit gains in demand to other destinations across the U.S. from both London and Manchester.