Virgin in Strategic cargo partnership

Virgin Atlantic Cargo will manage Brisbane-based Strategic Airlines cargo activities, complimenting the London-based carrier’s existing partnership with V Australia.


The new agreement supports Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s strategy of growing global size and reach by acquiring complimentary capacity, the airline said in a statement.


Under the terms of the contract, Virgin will manage Strategic’s entire long-haul cargo activity, handling new Phuket and Bali routes which are served by an Airbus A330-200.


Strategic operates flights every Thursday and Sunday between Brisbane and Phuket, every Tuesday and Friday between Melbourne and Phuket and every Wednesday and Saturday between Brisbane and Bali (Denpasar).


John Lloyd, director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said the contract with Strategic allowed Virgin to generate new business opportunities beyond its own operating network.


He said the new agreement ensured cargo from Phuket and Bali could connect seamlessly with V Australia’s services from Brisbane and Melbourne to Los Angeles.


Damien Vasta, Strategic Airlines’ chief commercial officer, said Virgin was a “perfect fit” for Staretgic.


“Freight logistics is Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s core business and the new arrangement enables Strategic to offer a streamlined, contemporary international cargo solution while we can concentrate on our core business – looking after our passengers,” he said.


Launched in 2009 and headquartered in Brisbane, Strategic Airlines is Australia’s newest full service domestic and international carrier.


It forms part of the Strategic Aviation Group, which consists of Strategic Airlines (Australia) Strategic Engineering, Strategic Luxembourg (charter) and Strategic Aviation (charter and aircraft brokerage).
(Source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com)