Aeroland Airways, based in Athens, Greece, has been awarded an air operator's certificate (AOC) for single engine, instrument flight rules (IFR), day/night operations. It is the first such AOC to be issued to a cargo operator in Greece.

According to Aeroland ceo Petros Sotiriou, the company will begin its cargo operations this month with a brand new Cessna 208B Caravan Super Cargomaster turboprop aircraft. Two additional Super Cargomasters will be added to the fleet early next year.

The company has ordered a total of five Super Cargomasters from Cessna's Athens-based representative. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to begin operations in 2007.

John Doman, Cessna's vice president of worldwide propeller sales said: "To a US carrier, the issuance of such a certificate would be a relatively common occurrence but for a Greek operator this is an historic occasion.

"This approval will allow Aeroland to more fully utilise the capabilities of its Caravan Super Cargomasters and expand the company's client base. Moreover, it will provide its customers with nearly unrestricted cargo carriage within Greece."

The Super Cargomaster has a cruise speed of 175 knots and a maximum useful load of 4,215 pounds. Its certified ceiling is 25,000 feet.