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    Air Caraïbes Atlantique Signs ULD Management Agreement with CHEP

    Jan. 12, 2017
    The new four-year agreement with CHEP includes the supply of containers and pallets for new aircraft and the transition of the existing container fleet to CHEP's lightweight containers within the first year.
    Related To: Unilode Aviation Solutions
    Chep Logo 58779d716f42e

    Air Caraïbes Atlantique, the transatlantic carrier of the French Caribbean, has chosen CHEP Aerospace Solutions, the leading global provider of outsourced Unit Load Device (ULD) solutions, to supply and manage containers and pallets for its growing aircraft fleet.

    Air Caraïbes currently operates five Airbus A330 aircraft and will shortly be adding three A350s to fly to transatlantic destinations for Air Caraïbes Atlantique and its recently launched French Blue brand. The new four-year agreement with CHEP includes the supply of containers and pallets for these new aircraft and the transition of the existing container fleet to CHEP's lightweight containers within the first year.

    Air Caraïbes Atlantique CEO, Marc Rochet, said: "With the introduction of our new fleet and network growth, we were looking for opportunities to make our operations more efficient whilst reducing costs, enhancing performance and supporting our commitment to sustainability. We were already considering the purchase of lightweight containers to better our fuel efficiency, and upon evaluating the different options available in the market, we concluded that CHEP's ULD management solutions provided the best mix in terms of assets, global expertise and the lowest overall costs base with the maximum value. The company has been highly recommended by our codeshare partner and long-time CHEP customer, and we look forward to our partnership."

    CHEP Aerospace Solutions President, Dr. Ludwig Bertsch, said: "Air Caraïbes Atlantique will be the first French airline to operate the new-generation Airbus A350. The group's ULD needs will double during our partnership and we look forward to supporting their growth. The airlines' destinations also present a great opportunity for increasing the synergies in our network as the overlap of airports enables the most economic and efficient use of ULDs to the benefit of our customers. We welcome our 40th ULD management customer to CHEP's ever-growing portfolio and are pleased with our newly established partnership."

    Air Caraïbes, Air Caraïbes Atlantique and French Blue belong to the privately owned Groupe Dubrueil. The airlines operate scheduled regional flights to 13 islands in the French Caribbean, transatlantic flights to France, and will add Mauritius and La Réunion to their destinations. Destinations in Canada, Mexico and the United States are also expected to be served. It employs nearly 900 people, operates a fleet of eight aircraft and flies 1.3 million passengers a year. For further information, please visit www.aircaraibes.com.

    CHEP Aerospace Solutions owns and and manages the world's largest independent fleet of approximately 100,000 unit load devices (ULDs), for use in the aviation industry, and owns the largest global network for the maintenance and repair of ULDs and galley carts. The company focuses on the outsourced management and associated services for aviation containers, pallets and inflight food service equipment, and serves over 90 airlines through a network of more than 450 airports, 18 regional offices and 48 certified repair stations, supported by more than 580 colleagues. CHEP Aerospace Solutions was acquired by EQT Infrastructure in November 2016 and is now financially and legally independent from Brambles Industries Limited and its affiliates. The company will be rebranded within the following months to have its own unique identity.