New Cargo Flights to Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Cargo, one of the premier air cargo brands in the world, will begin Boeing 747-400 air freighter service to DFW International Airport on November 19th.  Based in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Cargo air freighters will fly to DFW three times per week, marking a continued upward trend in the freight business to North Texas from Asia. 

Cathay Pacific's entry into the DFW market will boost the Airport to a total of 34 cargo freighter flights every week into Asia, and it gives North Texas area shippers over 50 worldwide destinations in five continents available via Cathay Pacific's network.

"Cathay Pacific's new freighter flights to DFW will improve our service to shippers - delivering access to new markets and cutting delivery times," said Ron Mathison, Cathay Pacific Cargo director & general manager.  "They demonstrate our commitment to further strengthen Hong Kong as the world's busiest international cargo hub. Expanding our US network is a significant step for the airline and Hong Kong."

The new Cathay Pacific Cargo service is another clear indication that DFW's international cargo traffic is growing at a dramatic pace. The Airport's international cargo business rose almost 28 percent in 2004 as opposed to 2003. DFW is a major gateway for international cargo and shipped nearly 245,000 metric tonnes of international freight in calendar year 2004.  Freight carried on DFW's Asian freighters represented over 60% of the Airport's total international cargo.

"We are thrilled to welcome Cathay Pacific Cargo to DFW," said Joe Lopano, executive vice president for marketing and terminal management at DFW.  "Cathay Pacific is one of the world's leading airline brands and we are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with them."

The new Cathay Pacific Cargo flights will generate more than $7 million annually in economic impact for North Texas.

"The addition of Cathay Pacific solidifies DFW's position as one of the nation's largest gateways for Asian air cargo," said Lopano.  "DFW is the 5th largest U.S. gateway to Asia, behind only Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco."

The majority of DFW's cargo exports will be capital goods.  Imports into DFW will consist of industrial goods, high-technology equipment and consumer electronics.

Hong Kong is a strategically important market for DFW because it is one of the Airport's largest air cargo markets.  In 2004, the market accounted for almost 5,100 metric tonnes of air cargo.  The Hong Kong-DFW market has shown historic growth of 10.5% annually since 1996, and grew almost 46% in 2004 alone.

Hong Kong is the center of an area known as the Pearl River Delta in southern China.  This area encompasses not only Hong Kong, but Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Guangzhou in China and Macau.  The Pearl River Delta is a popular location for electronics and technology manufacturers and is the southern Asian crossroads for air cargo.

Hong Kong is a strategic link to China as the major air cargo hub of the Pearl River Delta.  China is DFW's largest air cargo trading partner and this new air link will drive further air cargo trade between DFW and China.  In 2004, DFW had over 51,000 metric tonnes of air cargo trade with China valued at over $6.33 billion according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Other carriers flying freighters to Asian destinations from DFW include Singapore Airlines, Korean Air Lines, China Airlines, China Cargo Airlines and EVA Air.

FMI: www.dfwairport.com