The future of Centurion Air Cargo, the Miami-based Latin American specialist, appears to be in doubt following a series of lawsuits filed against it by fuel supplier Chemoil Corp. While flights are continuing to operate, Chemoil claims that it is owed $12.9m, and has issued 11 lawsuits – one each for nine MD-11Fs and two for 747-400Fs, operated by Centurion and its partner SkyLease.
Centurion has faced increased competition in the last year, with players such as Atlas Air eating into the Latin American market. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in the year-to-date, Centurion has seen cargo revenue ton miles fall by 30% over 2013. Centurion’s Schiphol office, where it has its European hub, told The Loadstar that it had no comment. But one source familiar with the carrier said he wouldn’t underestimate Alfonso Rey, Centurion’s owner, who earlier this year sold his Miami Beach island house for $29m.
In March, Centurion’s president Ian Morgan quit, to take up a position at Qatar Airways Cargo.
source: www.theLoadstar.co.uk