AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has reported a 15 per cent growth in its airfreight volumes in February, transporting over 37,000 tonnes across its global route network in Asia, Europe, North America and Russia.

The airline’s freight tonne kilometres rose three per cent over the same month last year when the airline saw an extraordinary demand for air cargo services due to the strikes at US sea ports.

Particular growth was reported on North America-Europe routes, where ABC doubled its cargo traffic year-on-year.

In terms of the nature of cargo, ABC enjoyed stable demand in its flower traffic in February. The carrier performed none special flights for customers onboard its modern Boeing 747 freighters to satisfy peaks in demand ahead of St. Valentine’s Day on 14 February and International Women’s Day on 8 March.

The freshly cut roses were transported from Ecuador to the cities of Amsterdam, Karaganda and Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk.

ABC’s commercial director, Alexander Roschupkin, says: “Our team will continue developing the airline’s tailored service for its customers, including those from the flower industry. In February, AirBridgeCargo commenced services to Africa where we see growing volumes of exported perishables, including plants.

“We also see increasing need for air cargo services in other markets such as Latin America and plan to further expand the airline’s offering by providing international customers with a wider choice of routes across the airline’s international network and with special solutions to satisfy their airfreight needs.”