Halifax pots a red with Chinese lobster freighters
04 / 01 / 2017
Canada’s Halifax Stanfield airport has secured five Boeing 747-400 freighter charters by Yangtze River Express in January to meet demand from Chinese consumers for fresh Nova Scotia lobster.
Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) said that Nova Scotia seafood worth more than C$15m has already been shipped overseas in the holiday season.
That number will increase to around C$25m by the end of January when Chinese New Year is celebrated, said the Canadian east coast air hub.
“We are excited to welcome Yangtze River Express to Halifax Stanfield, in time for them to export fresh Nova Scotia lobster for the upcoming busy Chinese festive season,” said Bert van der Stege, HIAA vice president, business development & chief commercial officer.
He added: “Our investment in a new 17,000 sq m cargo pad is providing us with additional capacity, making Halifax Stanfield an even more attractive airport for cargo exports.”
Jevey Zhang, president of Yangtze River Express Airlines, said: “Nova Scotia lobsters are in high demand in China. We’re happy to provide additional capacity between Halifax and China, ensuring fresh lobsters arrive in the shortest possible time.”
During December, Canadian lobster was exported to all parts of the world through the connections provided by Halifax Stanfield. Several carriers transporting seafood out of the east coast gateway, include Air Canada, Cargojet, Korean Air Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, CAL Cargo Airlines and FedEx.
Cargo aircraft are loaded on the new cargo pad which is visible from the Old Guysborough Road. Schedule and location is subject to change.
