British Airways World Cargo (BAWC) has announced an agreement with DHL to provide its customers with a short-haul European freighter programme. The new schedule will get underway from Friday 24 October 2003.

This will provide BAWC with a significant improvement in its offering to its customers utilising the European network. The addition of short-haul freighter aircraft will enable the carrier to offer faster connections and increased capacity on a number of key routes.

Transferring capacity will receive a boost as "known shippers" freight from mainland Europe will be subject to a streamlined security process which will result in speedier transit times at the airline's hub.

The major expansion of BAWC's European offering will operate 20 services per week between London and key European hubs in Frankfurt, Bergamo (Milan), Brussels, Amsterdam, Munich, Paris and Hamburg with a new connection to and from Dublin.

Connections to the airline's longhaul network will provide a comprehensive service to BAWC customers throughout Europe. Inbound freighter flights arriving at London in the evening will connect to the global network on the following day. On key routes, BAWC will be able to offer a 'same day' service with flights that arrive at the hub during the morning prior to connections to late afternoon/early evening flights. Flights into mainland Europe will provide crucial links with major markets in the US and Asia Pacific regions as well as a freighter service from the UK.

Tony Nothman, BAWC's Regional Vice President UK, Europe and Africa, looks forward to the planned new services: "This is an exciting development for British Airways World Cargo and its customers. We have worked closely with DHL to ensure that our customers see a real improvement in our capacity offering on key European routes through the faster connections now available.

"The 757-freighter programme will give us a reliable and consistent operation and will provide real advantages over the alternative option of trucking freight. Europe continues to be a challenging trading environment but we are confident that, by working in partnership with DHL, we can deliver more for our customers.

"Terry Nord, Head of DHL's Global Network, said: "DHL is delighted that British Airways World Cargo have recognised the unique ability that we have, through our exceptional European network, to meet BAWC's need to increase their capacity offering. We are most pleased to embark on this extensive daytime and weekend dedicated Charter Programme in partnership with BAWC."

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