Freight Carrier Postpones Dulles Service
Facing mounting debts, lawsuits and a possible ownership change, Ocean Airlines postponed the launch of freighter service to Washington that was supposed to be a centerpiece of the cargo carrier's international expansion.
The Italian freighter operator was to have launched service between Brescia and Washington Dulles International Airport on Oct 28, but said in a statement that it was delaying the trans-Atlantic service until early 2008. The airline cited "impediments beyond its control," including what it called an "unprecedented bureaucratic slow-down" by the Italian Bureau of Civil Aviation and a delay in gaining a required Air Operator Certificate.
But the airline, one of several carriers that have started up in the past couple of years in the international air freight arena, also is facing potential management upheaval and allegations that it is losing money and has missed payments to key vendors.
Phoenix Fuel Atlas Aviation has sued Ocean for non-payment of $6 million in jet fuel. Webster, Texas-based Colt International has an outstanding fuel claim for approximately $72,000.
The Aviation Law Center in Williamsburg, Va., which is spearheading the legal efforts against Ocean Airlines. "We're attempting to seize an aircraft at Dulles Airport to prompt payment," said Terence G. Haglund of the Aviation Law Center.
At the same time, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is reportedly in talks to take a majority stake in Ocean Airlines. A spokeswoman for the carrier was not immediately available for comment. Representatives at other Ocean Airlines offices referred to the official statement by the airline on its postponement of the Dulles service.
Separately, AAR Parts Trading, a division of Illinois-based AAR, is suing Ocean Airlines over non- payment of two leased engines for a 747 freighter. SRX Transcontinental is suing Ocean Airlines for non- payment of ground handling and fueling services.
Ocean Airlines operates two 747-200 freighters, but recently concluded a deal to acquire six more.
Robert Moorman
http://www.aircargoworld.com/break_news/11022007b.htm