Yangtze River Express’ launches Amsterdam Airport Schiphol services

YANGTZE River Express is the latest freighter operator to introduce services to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
The Chinese airline now operates twice weekly from Shanghai to Schiphol, using B747-400SF aircraft. The services replace twice-weekly flights from Shanghai to Luxembourg.
Founded in 2002, Yangtze River Express operates a fleet of 18 freighters (10 x B737F, 4 x B737QC, 3 x B747-400F and 1 x A330F) on 200 scheduled services to 22 domestic and international destinations.
Schiphol is now served by 300 freighter flights per week operated by 25 full freighter carriers, connecting the airport to 134 cities in 70 countries.
Saskia van Pelt, Schiphol Cargo business development director, has specific responsibility for developing the Chinese trade lane. She comments: “We are delighted to welcome Yangtze River Express to our large community of freighter operators, and wish them every success with their new services.
“China is the most important single cargo market for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, representing the largest part of our annual throughput to and from the Far East. Amsterdam is the only European hub with maindeck services provided by every Chinese freighter operator.
“Schiphol’s considerable success in this market is chiefly down to its strong landside network, capable of moving incoming cargo quickly and efficiently to any point in northern Europe. That’s why so many US and Far Eastern companies have set up their regional distribution centres around Schiphol: of all those situated in Europe, we have more than half.”
Schiphol also has a large and vibrant logistics community that acts as a magnet for cargo from across Europe. Continues Saskia: “This gives carriers a good prospect of attracting backhaul traffic, meaning their flights are well-utilised in both directions. The number of carriers serving Schiphol, the spread of their schedules and the frequency of their flights, mean the airport can also offer very attractive interline opportunities.”
Schiphol Cargo continues to focus on vertical industry segments such as fashion and high-tech, to help bring new business to those airlines serving Schiphol. Concludes Saskia: “We continue to put in a great deal of work on streamlining cargo processes at Schiphol, with the aim of speeding cargo transit times, improving customer experience, and reducing costs in the supply chain.”