UK cargo operator One Air is venturing into scheduled services with its Boeing 747-400 freighter fleet, opening flights connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.

The carrier will operate from East Midlands in the UK to the Belgian cargo hub at Liege, before flying on to Dubai World Central and Hong Kong.

One Air will start the services on 2 September, flying the route four-times weekly. Return flights will operate via Liege.

The airline’s affiliated sales and marketing company, Air One, has reached an agreement with ATC Aviation Services to market the outbound scheduled services to Dubai and Hong Kong, while Air One will sell capacity on the returns flights to Belgium and the UK.

Opening scheduled services is a “new strategic step” and “natural extension” for Air One, says chief commercial officer Peter Scholten, following its charter and wet-lease activities.

One Air is one of three airline partners offering capacity across a combined fleet of 11 747-400Fs, and Air One says further fleet expansion is planned in 2025-26. The carrier has previously indicated plans to introduce Boeing 777 freighters.

“We see a strong opportunity to establish Air One in the scheduled cargo market,” says executive chair Guneet Mirchandani. Customers of the scheduled services will be given access to a road feeder network covering a number of airports in the UK and Europe.