After successfully completing its first year of operations, Brussels based Cargo B Airlines announces an agreement with Nippon Cargo Airlines. Cargo B will dry lease a new B747-400 freighter to be delivered towards the end of 2008. The aircraft will be employed on the busy South American routes and will take over from the existing B747-200 that will be phased out during 2009.

Niek van der Weide, executive VP Commercial Cargo B comments. 'We had always planned on acquiring new aircraft and to be able to do this so much earlier is a great boost for our company and our customers. We are currently operating three frequencies per week with very high loads ex Brussels to Sao Paulo, returning with perishables, especially flowers from Bogota and Quito. The market for flowers is quite steady and in addition, we are carrying out extra charters and part charters to destinations such as Brasilia, Asuncion, Buenos Aires and Panama, all combined with our flights from Brussels.

'The 747-400's payload of up to 120 tons and better fuel economy will multiply our opportunities not only on the South American routes but also for other routes we are looking at to operate in the future. Cargo B also has an interline agreement with NCA to carry cargo, such as flowers, from South America to Japan whilst NCA has the possibility to feed cargo from Asia to Latin American markets on Cargo B flights.'