Call Sign Maiden-001: Cardiff Aviation’s First ACMI Aircraft Enters Service

The first aircraft for the new ACMI airline from Cardiff Aviation has now formally entered service.

The Boeing 737-400 has also lived up to its call sign, transporting lucky Iron Maiden fans to Paris from Cardiff Airport for an exclusive listening party for the forthcoming new album, The Book of Souls – with Cardiff Aviation Chairman and Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson handling piloting duties.

The aircraft is now available for ACMI operations under the VVB brand. Interest in the aircraft has already started to exceed its availability, so the airline intends to add to its roster promptly within the next few months.

The aircraft had already flown several operations in its first few days of service, including flights for Italian carrier Mistral Air and Iraqi Airways, carrying passengers between Malmo, Manchester and Gatwick.

Dickinson says: “This new aircraft marks Cardiff Aviation’s full entry into ACMI airline work. We’ve delivered on the promise we made two years ago to move into this area of operations. The airline, MRO and training facilities are a perfect fit for each other.”

Cardiff Aviation Training will shortly install a 737 simulator alongside the existing 747 and Sikorsky S61 sims at its Cardiff Airport facility. Maintenance work will be carried out at Cardiff Aviation’s world-class facility located at St. Athan, adjacent to Cardiff Airport.

The new 737 operates under an EASA-compliant AOC for full operation across Europe. The new aircraft’s entry into service marks the completion of a key strategic long-term goal for Cardiff Aviation, which is now setting its sights on further growth in both training provision and ACMI operations.