Media contact: Jamie Roche, JRPR
Date: July 11th 2012
T: +44 (0) 1344 631880/1/3
E : jamie@jamierochepr.co.uk

Virgin Atlantic Cargo has appointed Hermes Aviation to sell freight capacity on its new twice-weekly flights from Cancun, Mexico, to London Gatwick and beyond utilising Virgin's extensive direct and onforwarding network. Hermes Aviation will market Virgin Atlantic's capacity via its offices in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey and Cancun, offering freight forwarders in Mexico a welcome alternative for traffic to the UK, Europe and beyond, supported by the airline's awardwinning customer service.

Cargo exports from Cancun have grown steadily over the last two years thanks to an increase in overseas demand for perishable products such as ferns, fish, lemons, berries and mangoes. Trucking connections from other cities in Mexico to Cancun have been arranged to also attract a good share of general cargo traffic for Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 747-400 flights. Marie Epstein, Virgin Atlantic Cargo's Regional Vice President, Sales, Americas, said: "Our goal is first and foremost to promote the Virgin service to London and other network points and we believe that our brand and quality service together with Hermes Aviation's reputation in the Mexican market will offer a good alternative for forwarders to route their cargo to the UK and other major destinations across our network. We have appointed Hermes to grow this market for us based because of its experience, service, office network and market knowledge."

"The addition of Virgin Atlantic Cargo provides us with a good balance to our existing portfolio of international airlines," said Marcel Barjau, General Manager of Hermes Mexico. "As the largest cargo general sales agent in Mexico, we are honoured to be associated with one of the most innovative airlines in the industry. With our existing offices in Cancun, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, Hermes will be able to expand Virgin Atlantic's presence in the Cancun market by representing these online Virgin flights across all of our locations."