Martinair to become all-cargo airline

MARTINAIR is to become an all-cargo airline, axeing its passenger business. Long suspected, the reason given was Martinair's relatively weak passenger business compared to its conversely strong cargo division.
"Martinair Holland NV plans to concentrate fully on its airfreight activities as per the end of 2011 and to discontinue its passenger service," the company said in a statement.
Martinair currently operates 12 freighters: seven MD-11s four Boeing 747-400ERFs and one 747-400BCF. It has four 767-300ERs on order for charter sevices, which will now be transferred to KLM.
Paul Gregorowitsch, chief executive officer of Martinair, said: "We realise that this is an emotional decision for Martinair's dedicated employees and many others."
The move will involve a large restructuring but it is hoped that it won't result in any job losses as passenger focused staff will be transferred to KLM.
"The KLM group would make every effort to keep affected employees within the KLM family," the group said.