The new agreement supports Virgin Atlantic Cargo's strategy of growing their global size and reach by acquiring complimentary capacity.
Under the terms of the contract Virgin will manage Strategic's entire long-haul cargo activity, applying their award winning customer experience and brand to Strategic Airlines' new Phuket and Bali routes which are served by an Airbus A330-200. Strategic Airlines 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: 'We are extremely pleased to have successfully concluded this contract with Strategic because it supports our aim of generating new business opportunities beyond our own operating network. Strategic recognise the value and expertise we will bring to their business and their operation connects perfectly with that of our partner V Australia. The new agreement between Virgin Atlantic and Strategic ensures cargo from both Phuket and Bali can connect seamlessly with V Australia's services from Brisbane and Melbourne to Los Angeles.'
'Virgin Atlantic Cargo is a perfect fit for Strategic Airlines and supports our intention to continue to grow this part of our business, ' said Damien Vasta, Strategic Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer.
'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 added. 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 & Aircraft Brokerage). The Strategic fleet consists of Airbus A330-200 and A320-200 aircraft. Strategic Airlines currently operates scheduled passenger transport services across an expanding network of domestic and international routes currently including Melbourne-Phuket, Brisbane-Bali, Brisbane-Phuket, Brisbane-Townsville, Brisbane-Gladstone, Brisbane-Port Hedland, Perth-Derby and Perth-Bali. 'The company has also applied to the International Air Services Commission for allotments of capacity to fly between Australia and the USA and Australia and China. Beyond these commitments, Strategic Aviation is active in the brokering of logistics, cargo and passenger charter services. For further information go to www.flystrategic.com.
