When a new airline takes flight with the Boeing 747, curiosity and interest are bound to soar. Although the iconic ‘Queen of the Skies’ has entered her twilight years, the jumbo remains a type with a lot to offer as a freighter. Following much anticipation and slightly later than planned, London-headquartered One Air took to the skies in July 2023, holding the privileged position of being the sole remaining UK-based, 747 operator.
The carrier’s launch was driven by key figures at cargo sales agency, Air One Aviation, which explains the rationale behind the name, but as Chris Hope, the airline’s chief operating officer humorously pointed out, it can also lead to confusion. The leadership team at the sales agency had a long-standing vision of establishing a dedicated UK-based cargo operator. As COVID-19 catapulted the importance of freight into the spotlight, it provided an ideal opportunity to pivot from vision to reality. There was a strong belief that a new UK-based outfit would significantly enhance the British cargo market, and eliminate the requirement for foreign carriers to position their aircraft in and out of the UK, flying costly empty legs.
At the helm of the fledgling carrier are two cargo industry veterans. Paul B…
