Today (10MAY20), British charter specialist Coyne Airways has kicked off a new air service operated with Boeing 737-400SF between Liege in Belgium and Yerevan, Armenia, the company’s new direct link in the Caspian Area’s large net.
Capacity provider is Icelandic ACMI carrier Bluebird Nordic that will conduct the Yerevan flights once a week. “Currently, Armenia is an interesting market and we are fairly strong positioned,” the owner of Coyne Airways, Larry Coyne, states. He goes on to say: “There has been a notable shift in the commodities we are carrying to Yerevan in the past month or so in favour of vital medical equipment and we know speed is of the essence for this type of movement.” Yerevan is also a location where high yields can be generated since Turkish Airlines and Silkway West pulled out, he stresses. From the Armenian capital, transit consignments will be trucked to Tbilisi in Georgia, Coyne’s previous regional hub between the Black and Caspian Seas or flown on to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian destinations. The decision to set up cargo flights to the Armenian capital follows the London-based company’s tradition of holding a strong position in the Caspian region right from the start, Larry Coyne emphasizes in this guest contribution.
Coyne Airways, the niche air cargo provider specializing in providing reliable and secure air cargo services to some of the world’s most difficult to reach destinations, is rediscovering its
roots as a charter broker during the coronavirus crisis.
Since its establishment in 1994, Coyne Airways pioneered routes to the Caucasus, Central Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan; all destinations it still serves today. In 2012, we spread our wings to
Africa, working in conjunction with regional partners.
More mainstream routings
We always offered charter and part-charter services to destinations which could add value for customers, but these tended to be centered around existing (niche) network points. However, the
coronavirus crisis and the urgent search for cargo capacity to distribute medical equipment around the world has pushed Coyne into more mainstream routings, like China to Europe.
Operating to Central Asia and the Caspian region since the beginning, we are uniquely positioned to assist with Covid-19 charters, many of which stop at airports in Kazakhstan, a country we have
served for a quarter of a century.
Need guidance? Coyne offers!
Coyne has a broad network of relationships with a variety of freighter and passenger aircraft operators. Many of Coyne’s existing clientele have long been involved in humanitarian assistance; and
Coyne is used to navigating tricky operational issues and holding the customer’s hand to guide them through every step of the process.
Some customers are shocked to find charter costs from China for large freighters like 747s and 777s exceeding $1m per flight. Quite a few customers do not require the full capacity of those large
aircraft, and while there are many medium-sized and smaller freighters as well as "passenger freighters" entering the market, it can be confusing as to what is the best choice for each
charter requirement.
It needs expertise to decide which aircraft suits a certain project best
The answer is complicated by the fact that, particularly for the passenger freighters, the same aircraft type registered in different countries may have different restrictions on the type of
cargo that can be carried, the dimensions of that cargo and the use of the passenger cabin. In addition, different aircraft types with similar payload capacity can have very different volume
capacities: for example, both the IL76 and A300 can carry around 40 tons of cargo, but the A300 is better able to cope with volume. High fuel consumption ruled the IL76 out of contention for many
years, but with fuel just above $300 per ton, it is suddenly viable again. For clients looking to move items such as facemasks and personal protective equipment which are very volumetric, the
capacity of the aircraft may bulk out before anywhere near the maximum payload is reached. Coyne can advise customers on the options available and help them get a better understanding of the best
value solution for their requirement.
Keeping a close eye on details
For operators, Coyne can connect them with clients and revenue streams they might not otherwise have had access to. We can also help bridge the gap in understanding between each side, ensuring
better coordination and successful flights. There have been reports of several flights returning empty from major airports in China because the cargo has not been ready and available for loading.
Many operators are now consumed with constant flying to keep their heads above water; they may not have the resources to ensure that all the I’s are dotted, and the T’s are crossed, or have any
experience with operating from China.
Having a dedicated broker in place to keep an eye on all the details can help anticipate and circumnavigate any issues that can arise and can assist with any necessary arrangements for smooth
operations.
This can include, as it did for one client recently, changing the airport of departure in China a few days before the flight, updating permits and arranging ground handling to ensure that all the
client’s cargo would connect with a charter.
Happy customer, happy operator, happy Coyne!
We thank Mr. Larry Coyne for this intriguing and informative guest contribution, HS
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