I am branching into trying a cargo airline and I based myself in Doha, which is in a great location. I have an A330F and a Tu204 that I have to wait a week to get. In the meantime, I was looking at feeder aircraft to feed my A330. I was looking and came across the PC12 cargo and compared it to the popular C208, and its faster with a higher range. While the C208 does have a larger cargo capacity does that make it better for my location? I was looking for some advice in this realm...
ATR frieghter is best for feeder routes. I have also used MA-600F but ATR is better. Dont go for smaller planes. You will have to charge atleast 150% in order to just break even. Also I wouldn't recommend starting with A330F. It is quite difficult to fill unless you have a major interline partner. In which server you are starting cargo airline?
As I usually say there is no point to operate smaller planes than A320s or 737s, in the cargo case I am a bit wrong as operating ATR72s is were the cargo money comes from and I might as well be wrong for passengers as I have found it great fun to play with CRJs in remote markets all around the world.
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ATR frieghter is best for feeder routes. I have also used MA-600F but ATR is better. Dont go for smaller planes. You will have to charge atleast 150% in order to just break even. Also I wouldn’t recommend starting with A330F. It is quite difficult to fill unless you have a major interline partner. In which server you are starting cargo
My cargo Airline is in Otto as I am testing to see how cargo works. Here is the link:http://otto.airlinesim.aero/app/info/enterprises/5766?5&tab=0
There are about five or six passenger airlines that offer cargo to short-haul destinations, so I made it a point to interline with all of them.
If I were you I would get a bunch of ATR72s offer a lot of frequency to all the major cargo destinations around and overcharge. Flying pc12s in such golden conditions is stupid. Also having a holding in Qatar an open market country (not on Hoover but everywhere else) is stupid in itself.
I'm not sure I follow you on the part about the holding company. Could you explain? I'm applying your advice ASAP with the ATRs. My A330 is full so I'll be buying them when possible.If I were you I would get a bunch of ATR72s offer a lot of frequency to all the major cargo destinations around and overcharge. Flying pc12s in such golden conditions is stupid. Also having a holding in Qatar an open market country (not on Hoover but everywhere else) is stupid in itself.
Regarding the holding: Qatar is an open investment country (expect on Hoover) meaning that anyone can play there regardless of where they are based. This also means that usually companies who have filled their home markets and have a couple of billions left will go there. You fly cargo which means that you have traffic rights everywhere in the world but if you ever want to start flying passengers you cant fly from anywhere else other than Qatar which is were the guys with the billions will compete and the slots will quickly run out (albeit Otto is a temp server but anyways). If you were to have a holding based in the US you could fly passengers both in the US and Qatar (and 57 other countries).
Regarding the A330: I doubt that you are are able to fill it as you have under 20% loads and the only plane you operate is that one A330 and 20% is very far from what I consider full. As I said, the best cargo planes are ATFs and 737s. As previously said A330Fs are very hard to fill and as cargo is all about connections and frequency the A330 is a horrible plane unless you are able to fill it or needs it´s size and range. Ask me any questions and I am happy to help :).
Is it possible to PM you for some further advice?Regarding the holding: Qatar is an open investment country (expect on Hoover) meaning that anyone can play there regardless of where they are based. This also means that usually companies who have filled their home markets and have a couple of billions left will go there. You fly cargo which means that you have traffic rights everywhere in the world but if you ever want to start flying passengers you cant fly from anywhere else other than Qatar which is were the guys with the billions will compete and the slots will quickly run out (albeit Otto is a temp server but anyways). If you were to have a holding based in the US you could fly passengers both in the US and Qatar (and 57 other countries).
Regarding the A330: I doubt that you are are able to fill it as you have under 20% loads and the only plane you operate is that one A330 and 20% is very far from what I consider full. As I said, the best cargo planes are ATFs and 737s. As previously said A330Fs are very hard to fill and as cargo is all about connections and frequency the A330 is a horrible plane unless you are able to fill it or needs it´s size and range. Ask me any questions and I am happy to help :).
Is it possible to PM you for some further advice?
My inbox is full (as it is tiny) but sadly I dont think I can be much help to you. My time is very limited and due to that I dont help players outside Stapleton as I dont have the time to asses the market. I will free up some space and feel free to ask me but I dont know how well I can respond.
I use the PC-12 in Alaska to connect very small and distant airports to Anchorage. With very high prices, it is possible to operate the machines just as profitably. I can't recommend it.