FarCargo takes delivery of its first Aircraft

Just before the end of the year, FarCargo took posession of the aircraft that was acquired from the USA earlier in 2023 – and today the aircraft arrived in Copenhagen, to be transferred to the European flight register.

About the Aircraft

The aircraft is a Boeing 757-200 from 2001 and has been operated by American Airlines as a passenger flight since its beginning. The aircraft has been repurposed for cargo operations and can hold up to 35tons or 230cubic meter of cargo.

The aircraft is equipped with energy efficient winglets and RNP 0.13 technology, making it well suitable for flight operations to and from the Faroe Islands. The aircraft’s cargo hull has been modified to hold refrigerated cargo.

Registration

The aircraft will now undergo a process to transfer the registration from FAA to EASA. FarCargo has made an agreement with the Swedish airline West Atlantic, to operate the aircraft under its AOC, on behalf of FarCargo, until FarCargo is able to obtain an AOC.

First operation in Europe

The initial flight operation will be in Europe, to allow the flight crews and technical personnel to get comfortable with the aircraft and to obtain all necessary certificates and permits. Once this is complete, the aircraft will start cargo operation between Faroes and the US. The flight will be between FAE in the Faroe Islands, KEF in Iceland, EWR in New Jersey, US and BLL in Denmark. The route will start up slow, but will gradually expand to multiple departures every week.

Cargo from US to Billund to Faroe Islands

FarCargo will offer cargo to European and Faroese customers. This will be offered through local freight forwarders. FarCargo has made an agreement Nordic GSA, who will offer out the cargo space to the freight forwarders from Newark to Billund, and to the Faroe Islands. Customers can therefore book cargo space through their local freight forwarder, who deals with Nordic GSA.

This new air cargo operation will open up for new possibilities for the Faroese market for perishables and other express shipments. The opportunities for imports from US and Europe improve significantly.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

FarCargo will use a share of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) in its operation. This means that FarCargo will participate in developing the SAF fuel, to mitigate the environmental impacts from the aviation industry. The goal is to increase the share if SAF in the fuel, as much as the technology and market conditions allow for.

Crew

FarCargo currently has a crew of 8 members to operate the aircraft, and all have been certified to operate the 757. FarCargo plans to hire additional crew members as the operation ramps up.

Improved market access for Superior Salmon exports

As a part of the Bakkafrost Group, the purpose for the aircraft is to deliver healthy Superior Salmon to distant markets, where food waste is a critical element, in perishable foods such as fresh salmon. The Faroe Islands are located remotely in the North Atlantic, and with a large export of fresh seafood, market access and efficient logistics are crucial to maintaining the competitive advantage of and the ability to deliver the best quality to the customers.