Cathay to operate B747-8 freighter to Calgary
02 / 03 / 2015
CATHAY PACIFIC Airways is boosting its freighter services to and from Canada with a new twice-weekly scheduled B747-8F service to Calgary from 17 October – subject to government approval, writes Thelma Etim, deputy editor.
It brings the total number of freighter destinations the Hong Kong-based carrier serves in North America to 14.
The new service will further strengthen the airline’s presence in Canada and offer customers more choice and greater flexibility when transporting commodities to and from Asia, says James Woodrow, director of cargo at the airline.
The Calgary route will carry machinery and perishables directly to Hong Kong to connect with Cathay’s extensive Asian network.
“We will be operating our largest and most technologically advanced commercial freighter into Calgary and connecting freight through our new cargo terminal in Hong Kong onto our wider Asian network,” enthuses Woodrow.
“We will now be able to provide one of the fastest and most convenient ways to move time-sensitive freight from the central Canada region, cutting down on time spent in transit, resulting in reduced handling costs for our customers.”
Stephan Poirier, senior vice-president and chief commercial officer at Calgary Airport Authority, adds: “We’ve invested extensively in Calgary’s cargo infrastructure over the last 15 years, strategically positioning the airport for airlines, such as Cathay Pacific, to enter into Calgary’s market, completing our vision of linking Alberta’s businesses to Asia.”
Cathay currently operates freighter services to 44 international destinations. In June, the airline boosted its Columbus service from twice-weekly to thrice-weekly. The carrier currently has 13 B747-8Fs in its fleet, with one more on order for delivery in 2016.
