First A330-200F to fly in the Americas

AviancaTaca cargo subsidiary Tampa Cargo receives their first A330-200F

Tampa Cargo, the cargo subsidiary of AviancaTaca received its first of four A330-200Fs on December 20, 2012. Its first freight consignment on its way to Tampa Cargo’s headquarters in Medellin, Colombia was over a thousand soft toys donated by Airbus employees destined for underprivileged children in Colombia.

Tampa Cargo is the first operator of the A330F to fly in the Americas, serving the key northbound perishables and southbound consumer product routes in the region. Its first commercial flight carried a full payload of flowers from Medellin to Miami. The A330F offers excellent economics whether it carries low density volume payloads such as flowers or a higher density payload with consumer goods. Looking to the future, the A330F also gives Tampa Cargo true intercontinental range capability to expand their rapidly growing cargo business.

Leading up to the busy flower season in February, Tampa Cargo will benefit from the extra payload and range that the A330F offers over their current ageing fleet of 767Fs. The A330F also provides Tampa Cargo with the same technical superiority of the A330 passenger version, making it the most modern and efficient medium sized freighter, capable of carrying up to 70 tonnes of payload and 4,000nm in range. Tampa Cargo was able to benefit from the passenger A330 expertise within AviancaTaca, enabling their first operational flight within just 12 business days after receiving the aircraft. Whilst a testament to the maturity of the A330, this is an impressive feat for which we congratulate the Tampa Cargo team!

The modern day freight market experiences large fluctuations in demand, yet is still dominated by large or old and inefficient freighters. The highly versatile mid-size A330F offers cargo carriers around 15% improved cost per tonne when compared to similar sized new aircraft, or over 50% improved cost per trip compared to large freighters. The seven operators of the 16 A330Fs already flying recognize the aircraft for its low cost, high reliability and sustained profitability.

For more information contact:
Damian Allen
Marketing Manager, Airbus Freighters
damian.allen@airbus.com