OREANDA-NEWS. AirBridgeCargo Airlines improved its performance results with 17% in tonnage for the first half of the year, one pp up to compare with the 5 month report.

The airline transported over 218 thousand tonnes across its network in January-June period. Its freight ton-kilometres rose by 22% and ABC has managed to maintain the load factor of 67%, much higher the industry average.

The airline's tonnage in June was up 16% YOY and surpassed the growth rates of 11% in May.

During the first 6 months ABC has intensified its efforts to grow business in the key markets with adding more frequencies and transportation options for the customers via the airline's hub in Moscow-Sheremetyevo. On its core lanes between Europe and China ABC has managed to achieve 26% growth in tonnage eastbound, and 6% growth in the westbound traffic in the reported period keeping its strong position in both markets, despite weakening European imports.

AirBridgeCargo has expanded its presence on Europe-USA routes with adding more frequencies from Frankfurt to Chicago. During the first 6 months of 2015 the airline carried over 6,200 tonnes of cargo westbound between its European and North American gateways.

Further expansion in the North American region and clear focus on making its presence in the US stronger was realized through launching Los Angeles services and adding more flights from the already established online stations in Chicago and Dallas, making ABC to reach double digit growth numbers in the US market as well. The airline transported over 20,280 tonnes of freight from North America from the beginning of the year to date.

'AirBridgeCargo progressively develops as a global air cargo carrier: the airline heavily invests in its fleet, human resources and route network development to support its clients' global supply chains all over the world. With the positive response from customers to our existing and new services, stable growth rates, healthy load factors and client-oriented international team ABC is very well placed to bring in additional capacity later this year in front of the high season. We expect not fantastic but stable cargo season and we look forward for our volume growth gaining momentum towards the end of the year, - said Denis Ilin, ABC Executive President.

At present AirBridgeCargo operates flights to 27 destinations in 14 countries. Moscow hub operations enable airline to provide customers with greater transportation flexibility and offer over 600 weekly connections via Sheremetyevo airport with delivery time below 48 hours including ground handling.