Icelandair Group is to reconfigure three Boeing 767s to transport cargo after reaching an agreement to operate freight flights between China and Germany.
It has entered a pact with German firm DB Schenker, which is owned by rail company Deutsche Bahn.
Icelandair Group says the 767s will have their passenger seats removed to create volume to accommodate the cargo, comprising medical equipment for healthcare providers.
It states that the agreement covers at least 45 cargo flights from Shanghai to Munich, but that services will also be conducted from Shanghai via Rekjavik to Chicago.
“The parties have already agreed to continue with additional flights to China as long as needed,” it adds.
Icelandair Group has not disclosed the value of the agreement but says its passenger network is suffering “significant” revenue loss.
“One of the key strengths of Icelandair Group is the flexibility to be able to respond quickly to opportunities and execute them in a short period of time,” says chief executive Bogi Nils Bogason.
The passenger carrier Icelandair has several 767-300ERs, a type which it started introducing in 2016 to complement its 757 fleet.
Icelandair Group subsidiaries Icelandair Cargo and Loftleidir Icelandic will carry out the preparation and operation of the freight flights.
