Together with German time-critical international shipping company, time:matters, Austrian Airlines has completed its 100th COVID-19 cargo flight. Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Europe last March, Austrian Airlines and time:matters have worked closely together transporting much-needed supplies to fight against the virus.
Supplies of all personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of suit’s masks and gloves, as well as rapid antigen tests, have continued uninterruptedly since the outbreak of the medical emergency. On behalf of the Neu-Isenburg-headquartered logistics company, Austrian Airlines established an airlift to Asia to transport critically needed medical supplies to Frankfurt, Linz, and Vienna.
Austrian has transported PPE from Asia
Since the onset of the emergency cargo flights Austrian Airlines and time-matters have transported more than 2,000 tons of relief supplies on 100 cargo flights from Penang, Shanghai, and Xiamen. For the relief effort, Austrian Airliners deployed passenger Boeing 777 and 767 aircraft to carry cargo both in the hold and in the cabin. Austrian Airlines also utilized special Boeing triple sevens that had their seats temporarily removed to accommodate more supplies.
On the occasion of the 100th jointly operated flight, Austrian Airways used a 23.6-year-old Boeing 777-200 with registration number OE-LPA. It is nicknamed “The Sound of Music.” Before the flight, OE-LPA was given a special livery by the experts at Austrian Technik. The tail section of the Austrian national flag carrier now displays the time:matters logo as well as wording pointing out that it is the airline’s 100th cargo flight. The Aircraft departed Vienna International Airport (VIE) for Penang International Airport (PEN) on February 26 and will return to Vienna on February 28 carrying emergency medical supplies.
The pair hope to establish more cargo routes
To highlight the work Austrian Airlines and time: matters were doing, Austrian Airlines CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech made the following remarks in a statement seen by Simple Flying:
“I am extremely pleased that we are able to do something good thanks to the strong partnership with time: matters, especially with its team of cargo experts in Vienna. On the basis of our joint airlift, we can contribute to halting the spread of the pandemic.”
Time:matters CEO Alexander Kohnen added:
“We want to further intensify our cooperation with Austrian Airlines and are working to launch additional air cargo routes. I think it is fantastic to leverage this special occasion as the basis for expanding our collaboration and making further plans for the future.”
About time:matters
Owned by Lufthansa Cargo, time:matters is a German logistics company based at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Time:matters specializes in the transport of time-sensitive cargo transported by air, rail, and road. Being a part of the Lufthansa Group, time:matters takes advantage of the group’s airlines which include SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. Time:matters has its own courier terminal at Frankfurt Airport, and access to Germany’s high-speed intercity rail network allowing it to connect to most city’s in Europe by rail.
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It would appear that during a time when fewer people are flying, Austrian Airlines has been able to ramp up its cargo business to help bring in revenue while also helping to transport PPE.
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