European Cargo

What European Cargo does

European Cargo Limited was a UK-based cargo airline founded in 2020 as a subsidiary of European Aviation Ltd, operating a fleet of converted Airbus A340-600 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft from regional UK hubs, primarily Bournemouth International Airport. The company served B2B customers including freight forwarders, cross-border e-commerce sellers, and enterprise logistics providers, with a heavy concentration on the China-United Kingdom air corridor. Its flagship relationship was with Shenzhen Sharing Express Logistic-Tech Ltd (SSELT) for scheduled Chengdu-Bournemouth services, supplemented by charters for UK seafood exporters and time-sensitive consignments. The company positioned itself as offering agile alternatives to congested London hub airports and operated scheduled programmes, ad hoc charters, and ACMI wet/dry lease contracts globally.

The company's core technology was a proprietary passenger-to-freighter conversion protected by an exclusive EASA Supplemental Type Certificate granted in December 2022, making European Cargo the world's only A340-600 P2F operator. The aircraft featured a novel dual-deck configuration: 39 bespoke fire-resistant cargo pods on the upper deck (237 cubic metres, 40,690 kg capacity, each covered by fire-containment bags tested to withstand lithium battery fires for 6.5+ hours) combined with 14 lower-deck pallets plus bulk hold, delivering total per-aircraft capacity of 440 cubic metres and 76 tonnes payload. The company assembled its fleet by acquiring 16 used A340-600 airframes from Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, and Iberia at materially lower cost than factory-built freighters. Operations were supported through partnerships with Cargo First (Bournemouth Airport's cargo division) and a new Teesside International Airport base established in March 2025.

European Cargo generated revenue through three channels: long-term dedicated scheduled cargo programmes (recurring relationship-driven contracts), ad hoc and part-charter flights (transactional), and ACMI wet/dry leasing (managed services). Distribution combined direct enterprise sales via a dedicated commercial team and charter request process with channel partnerships through airport operators and logistics partners. Despite operating what it described as the UK's largest widebody cargo fleet and achieving ~700 tonnes of weekly China-UK capacity by late 2023, the company entered administration on 3 June 2026 with more than $41.8 million in debt, resulting in the loss of 178 jobs and likely liquidation of the A340-600 fleet. Its Irish parent Priority 1 also entered liquidation.

Name

European Cargo

Legal name

European Cargo Limited

Website

https://european.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

European Cargo Limited was a UK-based cargo airline operating converted Airbus A340-600 freighters from regional hubs, providing scheduled, charter, and ACMI leasing services primarily for China-UK e-commerce and freight forwarder customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Cargo Services

NAICS

Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers) (THABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Air Freight Charter Operators (THABAEAD), General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter) (TLADAAAA)

Keywords

• Air cargo services
• Freight charter flights
• Widebody cargo operations
• Passenger-to-freighter conversion
• Aircraft wet lease

Headquarters

HQ city

Bournemouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Scheduled Cargo Programmes: Long-term dedicated scheduled cargo programmes where European Cargo partners with customers to create bespoke schedules aligned to exact requirements, operating from customer's choice of airports.
2. Charter Flights: Full charter, part charter and bespoke flying programmes on a worldwide basis for urgent solutions or challenging projects. Lower deck provides 55,000 kgs and 175 CBM, main deck provides up to 40,000 kgs and 265 CBM.
3. Wet/Dry ACMI Leasing: ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) wet-lease contracts providing fully dedicated aircraft with crew, maintenance and insurance for cargo needs without capital risks or long-term commitments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

European Cargo operates a fleet of Airbus A340-600 aircraft converted from passenger to freighter configuration to provide long-haul air cargo services from regional UK hubs. The airline offers three core services: Scheduled Programmes (long-term dedicated cargo flights aligned to customer requirements), Charter Flights (ad hoc and bespoke cargo operations worldwide), and Wet/Dry ACMI Leasing (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance lease contracts).

Product overview

European Cargo is a UK-based cargo airline operating a fleet of 10 converted Airbus A340-600 freighter aircraft from regional UK hubs (primarily Bournemouth International Airport). The company offers three core services: Scheduled Programmes (long-term dedicated cargo flights), Charter Flights (ad hoc and bespoke cargo operations), and Wet/Dry ACMI Leasing (aircraft leasing). The unique P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) configuration features 39 cargo pods on the upper deck and traditional pallet configuration on the lower deck, providing combined capacity of up to 76 tonnes and 440 cubic meters per aircraft. Operations are supported by partnership with Cargo First at Bournemouth Airport for handling and logistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scheduled Programmes Long-term dedicated scheduled cargo programmes where European Cargo creates bespoke schedules aligned to customer requirements, operating from customer-chosen airports worldwide. Designed for freight forwarders and e-commerce operators needing reliable recurring capacity on specific lanes.
• Charter Flights Ad hoc, part charter, and bespoke flying programmes on a worldwide basis using A340-600F aircraft, suitable for urgent solutions or challenging projects requiring professional cargo support. Lower deck provides 55,000 kgs and 175 CBM; main deck provides up to 40,000 kgs and 265 CBM.
• Wet/Dry ACMI Leasing ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) wet-lease contracts providing fully dedicated, crewed, maintained, and insured cargo aircraft for customers needing supplementary capacity without capital risks or long-term commitments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 700 tonnes weekly import capacity on China-UK routes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cargo First (Bournemouth Airport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing operational relationship between European Cargo and Cargo First, Bournemouth Airport's dedicated cargo division. Both part of Regional & City Airports (RCA) group. Partnership combines European Cargo's freight capacity with Cargo First's efficient handling operation. New investment in 2025 expanded airside parking stands, larger cargo warehouse, and increased landside space.
• Shenzhen Sharing Express Logistic-Tech Ltd (SSELT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched first all-cargo route between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Bournemouth Airport. Operates scheduled services with three flights per week initially, expanding to nine weekly flights. Provides comprehensive logistics solutions for cross-border e-commerce sellers.
• Sichuan Province Airport Group CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCargo development agreement signed between Sichuan Province Airport Group Company and Regional & City Airports (owner of Bournemouth Airport) to establish Chengdu-Bournemouth as dual hub co-operation platform, providing stable logistics channel for import/export of e-commerce goods.
• Teesside International AirportmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-million-pound agreement establishing new operational base at Teesside Airport Business Park. Five weekly freight flights to China using A340-600 freighters, providing capacity up to 375 tonnes per week. Expected to create around 50 jobs and position Teesside as strategic logistics hub.
• West & North Yorkshire Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber's largest overseas trade mission to China and Hong Kong building on new long-haul freight connection from European Cargo. Supported by Teesside International Airport as Gold Sponsor.
• Kenya Civil Aviation AuthorityminorOthersGranted air service license to European Cargo Limited as one of 38 operators receiving licenses to provide scheduled and non-scheduled cargo transport services in Kenya, strengthening Nairobi's position as African aviation hub.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cargolux Airlines: Luxembourg-based scheduled all-cargo carrier operating 30+ Boeing 747 freighters globally. Direct comparable to European Cargo in dedicated widebody freighter model, long-haul scheduled cargo, and ACMI/charter services.
• Atlas Air: US-headquartered ACMI and scheduled cargo operator with a large Boeing 747 freighter fleet. Directly comparable freighter leasing/charter model and reliance on converted/older widebody freighters.
• AirBridgeCargo Airlines: Russian all-cargo carrier with Boeing 747 freighter fleet operating scheduled and charter cargo worldwide. Direct peer in long-haul scheduled air freight and oversized/heavy cargo capability.
• Western Global Airlines: US-based ACMI and scheduled cargo operator focused on 777 and 747 freighters. Comparable as a focused widebody freighter specialist with mixed scheduled/charter/ACMI model.

Emerging players

• SmartLynx Airlines: Latvian ACMI/charter operator that has expanded into cargo with A321 and A330 freighters. Comparable niche ACMI/cargo pivot on Airbus narrowbody/widebody platforms.

Regional players

• Titan Airways: UK-based charter and ACMI operator providing passenger and cargo charter capacity. Comparable as a UK-registered ad-hoc and contract air services provider, though smaller-scale and passenger-skewed.
• El Al Cargo: Israeli flag carrier's cargo division operating scheduled and charter freighters including 777 freighters. Comparable as a regional scheduled/charter all-cargo operator, though serving a different geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• FedEx Express: Global integrator operating a large scheduled freighter network. Comparable only as a broad scheduled air-cargo incumbent; serves a different end-customer (parcel integrator) than European Cargo's freight-forwarder base.
• Cathay Cargo: Cathay Pacific's cargo division operating 20+ Boeing 747 freighters plus belly capacity. Comparable as a major scheduled all-cargo operator with strong Asia–Europe traffic, but materially larger and incumbently positioned.
• DHL Aviation: Air division of Deutsche Post DHL operating a global scheduled and chartered freighter network. Comparable only as a broad air-cargo incumbent with scheduled + ACMI exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-cargo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about European Cargo