Cathay Pacific launches round-the-world freighter service

CATHAY Pacific Airways will launch its first round-the-world freighter service on 9 July. The new route will initially be operated twice weekly, every Friday and Sunday, using a Boeing 747-400 freighter. The flight will leave Hong Kong and fly via Anchorage to Chicago. From there it will fly onward to Amsterdam and Dubai before returning to Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific, director cargo, Rupert Hogg, said: “We are very excited about the launch of this new freighter service, which will further strengthen our cargo network and also help in the continued development of Hong Kong’s airfreight hub role – something to which our airline is deeply committed.”

The round-the-world flight is an extension of Cathay Pacific’s existing service to Chicago – the airline currently serves the city with eight flights per week. The flight from the US to Amsterdam marks the first time for Cathay Pacific to ever operate a transatlantic service. In total, the round-the-world flight will take 44.5 hours to operate, including ground time to uplift freight.

The carrier has also just announced it will strengthen its freighter route to Houston and Miami. From 2 July, it will fly four times weekly to Houston and five times each week to Miami.

Meanwhile, development of the HK$5.5 billion Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport is now underway, with the facility set to come into operation in 2013. In terms of strengthening its fleet, the airline has 10 Boeing 747-8F freighters on firm order with deliveries set to commence in January 2011.