Amsterdam-based GSSA, Kales Airline Services, has gained Alaska Airlines and its group member, Hawaiian Airlines, as a new client. The Seattle-headquartered carrier (IATA code: AS) is the 6th largest U.S. airline and is about to serve transatlantic routes for the very first time since its founding 94 years ago. Rome and London are the two new European destinations listed on the carrier’s flight plan.
In its announcement, Alaska states that it intends to operate a brand new B787 on the two new routes. The Boeing long-haul passenger aircraft can carry between 15 and 20 tons of cargo per flight in its lower deck compartments, depending on passenger baggage volumes. The air cargo industry will have daily access to both intercontinental flights, to and from Seattle.
Daily flights
Services between Seattle and Rome are set to commence on 29APR26, with Seattle- London offered as of 21MAY26. While Kales will manage the cargo business at Rome Fiumicino itself, in the UK, Alaska Airlines will be represented by Wexco, a fully owned subsidiary of the Kales Group. The Kales Group will also expand its network offerings with Alaska Airlines in important offline markets such as Turkey and India.
In a statement, Kales CEO, Sebastiaan Scholte not only highlights the importance of the new transatlantic routes for his company’s cargo clients but also hails Alaska Airlines’ extensive network beyond its main gateway, Seattle. The network is widespread in the greater Pacific region, hence attractive to European shippers and forwarding agents alike. “This exciting new cooperation with Alaska and Hawaiian enables our group to significantly expand our network. It allows us to offer our customers more destinations, not only across North America, but also onward connections to the Far East and Australia,” illustrates Scholte.
Nearly 100% capacity utilization
On the westbound routes, he expects a stable product mix consisting of machinery parts, garments, luxury items, instruments, and perishables. Chemical products, automotive, aircraft parts, and household goods are likely to round off the airfreighted goods. “We anticipate nearly 100% capacity utilization on both westbound routes,” said Scholte. With Seattle and neighboring Vancouver, Canada, there are two economic hubs with high purchasing power. Furthermore, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is excellently connected to the trucking network along the U.S. West Coast.
AS is responsible for eastbound cargo
Ian Morgan, VP of Cargo at Alaska Airlines, is also convinced that a fruitful partnership between his airline and the Dutch GSSA will benefit both parties: “Having Kales represent Alaska Airlines in these new markets, will provide our customers a seamless experience when working with us. Kales and Alaska share a dedication to high quality service and will be strong partners as we grow in Europe.” On its eastbound flights to Rome and London, Alaska Cargo will manage the pallet and container operations on its own.
In addition to the extensive domestic U.S. network, Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo serve 14 destinations across the Far East, the South Pacific, Canada, and Mexico from its global gateways in Seattle (SEA) and Honolulu (HNL).
Asked whether the two transatlantic flights were part of a larger network expansion plan by Alaska Airlines, linking the U.S. Westcoast with Europe, Scholte said that this had not been discussed between Kales and the airline. “Our counterparts did not present us any plans in this regard.”
