French company L'Aeropostale is discussing opening a new European express freight network in an alliance with subsidiaries of its two shareholders, La Poste and Air France.
The firm is about to embark on a major expansion of its capacity, replacing its two Boeing 727s with three cargo-configured Airbus A300B4s and four ATR 72 turboprops operating from its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
L'Aeropostale wants to look at combining freight express operations with La Poste's Chronopost and TAT Express subsidiaries along with Air France Cargo. The operation would begin in November, with delivery of the A300s. This would ensure better utilisation of the A300s, says the airline, and increase its freight activity to 70% of its total freight/passenger operation against 62% last year, says president Claude Viet.
Net profits for 1998 stood at Fr800,000 ($133,000) against Fr1.1 million the previous year, while sales fell by Fr1.1 million.
Source: Flight International
