Perishable cargo specialist PML is investing in chartering its own air freight flights to maintain the supply of fresh produce in the current global landscape.

The company is working with Kenya Airways and has chartered a 787 Dreamliner to fly from Nairobi to London Heathrow twice a week. The aircraft will carry essential perishable goods on behalf of PML’s clients looking to export out of Kenya.

Flights began yesterday (18 November) and will initially be able to carry 36 tonnes of cargo per flight. After planned modifications to the aircraft take place in January, capacity will increase to 42 tonnes.

PML said flights are departing at 04.00 local time on Wednesdays and Sundays, meaning fresh produce can be transported into the UK on the same day it is flown out of Nairobi.

The company recently set up a dedicated in-house charter air freight service “to cater for the increasing demand for the transfer of perishable goods by air”.

PML’s sales director Nick Finbow commented: “We remain committed to providing a seamless service to our clients and with the competition to secure availability on chartered air freight services becoming increasingly intense, we were keen to identify a solution that would ensure our ability to guarantee the fastest transfer of perishable goods.

“The response to this service has been very positive and we anticipate that the flights will be operating at full capacity, both up to Christmas and beyond, when the Brexit restrictions come into force, which are likely to severely impact on the supply chain business.”