New Martinair operating from LGG -Liege Belgium

[altayaara]

Anyone has any confirmation of the rumours spread in the Netherlands that the new Martinair ( with the KL/AF freighters) will operate from LGG instead of CDG and AMS ?

[76-er]

First time I hear about this. Ever.

Source of the rumors?

[TckVs]

I guess the other freight dogs out of LGG will none too pleased. If that is indeed true. Well at least they should have some spare guys who know the airport.:*

[TopSwiss 737]

Completely new rumour for me, comes out of the (KL-AF?:}) blue...

Where and when did you hear about this?

It would surprise me if Martinair leaves the major European freight hub Schiphol (MPH's homebase for over 50 years, and having an integrated cargo network with KLM) altogether in favour of Liege...

Operating some flights out of LGG would be a logical step if there is some money to be made, but relocating the complete airline? Dunno.

Well, I guess Liege is somewhere about halfway between Amsterdam and Paris...

[altayaara]

News was given through a cargo agent in Campinas who has weekly cargo on Martinair to Viracopos, he got this info from his shipper in the Netherlands.

As Martinair operates one flight more per week, since the collapse of Cargo B airlines, it is possible that the South American operations can be moved, however this was not stated.

I worked years ago in Belgium and know that Liege makes very attractive deals to airlines which are not always 100 % by the book.

Maybe this is why the general manager of the airport of LGG is temporarly set back due to possible problems with documents, where Belgian justice is digging in.

If they want to make this move, they still will need approval from the Unions and I guess these guys will not agree so easy in case this move becomes effective.

[TopSwiss 737]

Interesting information altayaara, maybe some more will come from MP (or KL) soon...

Like you say, there are serious talks to be had with the unions if this move materializes.

As mentioned before, first I heard about this rumour.

[TopSwiss 737]

Nothing mentioned about LGG in this information to customers on OAG Inforwarding.com (http://www.inforwarding.com/message.asp?message=40841)...



Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo and Martinair Cargo network and capacity update

September 22, 2009


Dear Customer,


In the past months, we have adjusted our network to the challenging economic environment. These changes have resulted in significant capacity reductions with the start of the summer season. We have aimed to keep the negative impact for you limited by optimizing aircraft, routes and capacity arrangements between the three operating carriers within the AF-KL group. While our capacity has been reduced, our global coverage has remained intact. This way we have been able to guarantee our existing customer capacity commitments and continue to offer the most relevant and high-quality Cargo network.


The severe market conditions have now forced us – next to taking unprecedented decisions concerning our costs and rates - to further reduce freight capacity of the group for the upcoming winter season. This will lead to around -20% capacity compared to last year. We are also reducing the number of overlapping main deck destinations between the three operating carriers within the AF-KL group. Hence, despite capacity reductions, we keep a very strong global presence with 65 main deck destinations operated from our 2 hubs.
In addition to our main deck network, we continue to offer the largest global network of high frequency lower deck cargo services, serving 128 wide body lower deck destinations.


Please find attached an updated overview of our global destinations (http://www.inforwarding.com/clientfiles/comp11916/network_update_afklmp_def.pdf) and please visit our internet AF/KLM Cargo (http://www.afklcargo.com) and Martinair Cargo (http://www.martinaircargo.com) for our online timetables. If you have any questions, please contact your local Customer Service or Sales representative at AF-KL Cargo or Martinair Cargo.



Sincerely yours,



Jean Charles Foucault Meta Ullings
Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo Martinair Cargo
Senior Vice President Sales & Distribution Senior Vice President

[Acid-drop]

that's an interesting rumour ... because it's totally realistic ;)
Liège airport is growing extremely fast, but I guess that AMS and CDG don't want to leave the cake like that ... or do they ? because they don't want those noisy freighters anymore ?

[Acid-drop]

altayaara (http://www.pprune.org/members/223775-altayaara),

Any more info about this rumour ?
I believe there is no smoke without fire ...

News was given through a cargo agent in Campinas who has weekly cargo on Martinair to Viracopos, he got this info from his shipper in the Netherlands.This is very precise already, I guess more people must know about this rumour

[MrIkea]

I think this is just a misunderstanding because Martinair is doing the flight of Cargo B now... It would not make sense to fly to LGG to truck everything to CDG or AMS for further handling / forwarding.

[Acid-drop]

It would not make sense to fly to LGG to truck everything to CDG or AMS for further handling / forwarding.

It makes sense for some other companies.
And you can't be sure that CDG or AMS is the final destination ;)

[TopSwiss 737]

After the collapse of Cargo B, Martinair jumped in launching extra MD-11 flights to VCP the week after their demise...

Still haven't heard anything that would indicate MP operations out of LGG.
Could have been a misunderstanding I guess.