Ukraine airlines names ECS its GSA to boost cargo

UKRAINE International Airlines (UIA) has awarded a GSA contract to European Cargo Services (ECS) to provide the airline with sales representation across Europe and worldwide.

The exclusive contract with ECS, which operates 42 subsidiaries in 30 countries, gives UIA a unique opportunity to substantially expand its cargo transportation network and gain access to the worldwide market, a company statement said.

The agreement will allow UIA to deliver cargo to countries with a direct connection to Ukraine and also to additional markets in eastern Europe, North America and south east Asia.

The contract for 2009 is a positive extension of our strategic (16-year) cooperation with ECS geared towards providing our clients with a much wider operation that will further utilise our expanding scheduled network and also our Boeing 737-300SF freighter operations, said UIA logistics and cargo director Peter Kukharchuk. This contract considerably extends our capabilities to offer cargo services to a wider range of clients.

UIA was the first East Bloc airline to introduce Boeing 737 aircraft into its fleet and now operates 17 versions of the aircraft. The carrier carries cargo in the belly holds of its passenger aircraft, a practice that will be supplemented by a Boeing 737-300S Freighter that is scheduled to be delivered to UIA in July of this year.

Source: American Shipper