Cargoitalia ' Italy's all-cargo airline ' will take delivery of its third MD11 freighter aircraft in June.
The latest aircraft ' registration EI-EMS ' is a new conversion leased from Boeing Capital, and being delivered by SASCO (ST Aviation Services Company Pte. Ltd) of Singapore. It has a larger (90 tonne) payload than the airline's first two MD11 aircraft, with the same range (3910 NM, 7241 km) and volume (478 cu m). The new aircraft has a forward cargo door, making loading easier.

The aircraft will enter service in July, and is expected to operate a program of charter flights. It will then provide operational cover for Cargoitalia's other aircraft when they receive C-checks in August, before entering scheduled service in September.

Cargoitalia plans to deploy its latest aircraft on a twice-weekly service from its Milan hub to Shanghai Pudong. In October, the service will increase to three times weekly.

Says Commercial Director Roberto Gilardoni: 'We are once again easing the new aircraft into our operations, so we can ensure that our staff, crew and service partners are totally familiar with it before we commence full scheduled service. There are significant differences in the loading procedures and equipment employed on this aircraft, and we do not want to allow any factor to interfere with the high standards of reliability we have set.

'We greatly look forward to the arrival of our latest aircraft, the opportunities opened up by its improved design and enhanced capabilities, and the expansion of our network to include the important mainland China market.'

Cargoitalia plans further fleet expansion from 2012, and is currently evaluating various aircraft types to take it through its next development phase.