DFW International Airport Welcomes Cathay Pacific Cargotitle
New Direct Service to Hong Kong Spurs More Economic Growth for North Texas;
300 Metric Tonnes of New Asian Cargo Per Week to DFW
DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- DFW
International Airport will welcome its newest cargo airline on Saturday as
Cathay Pacific Cargo lands its first freighter aircraft at DFW. Fifty metric
tonnes of cargo will arrive at DFW on each of the three weekly flights from
Hong Kong. Seven million dollars of new economic activity will be generated
annually due to Cathay Pacifics new flights to North Texas.
"This new service at DFW will greatly improve our service to shippers,"
said Tom Wright, Senior Vice President of Americas for Cathay Pacific Cargo.
"We will be accessing new markets and cutting delivery times. Expanding our
U.S. network is a significant step for the airline and Hong Kong."
"DFW is proud to welcome Cathay Pacific Cargo to Texas," said Joe Lopano,
executive vice president of marketing and terminal management for DFW. "This
is the kind of international business growth and expansion that makes our
Airport the economic engine of North Texas. Weve worked very hard for eight
years to bring Cathay Pacific to Texas and were very proud and confident that
DFW will become a major U.S. market for this terrific carrier."
The additional Cathay Pacific Cargo flights will boost the more than
40 percent growth rate of cargo between Asia and DFW during the past two
years. The almost 16,000 tonnes of new cargo per year represents a
significant increase to an already impressive 245,000 tonnes of international
cargo moved at DFW annually. DFW handles 65 percent of all the air cargo in
Texas.
"Hong Kong is the largest cargo hub in the world and this new flight is a
critical link between our region and that corner of the world," said Bill
Frainey, assistant vice president of marketing for DFW in charge of cargo
development. "We continue to make a strong case to international cargo
carriers that we have one of the best cargo markets in the United States. We
now have six Asian cargo carriers and we believe more growth is in our
future."
Upon departing DFW, the Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-400 will fly to Atlanta
before returning home to Hong Kong.
In addition to 300 tonnes of products delivered to DFW each week, Cathay
Pacific has hired four new employees and contracted for ground service crews
which will add additional jobs to the airport community.
"The Hong Kong-DFW market grew almost 46 percent in 2004 alone," said
Lopano. "The majority of DFWs cargo exports will be capital goods such as
consumer electronics and oil refining equipment. Imports into DFW will
consist of garments, computer equipment, and integrated circuits."
In addition Asian freighter cargo has almost doubled every two years since
1993, with 34 percent annual growth rate since 1993.
The new Cathay Pacific service will operate each Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday. On the ground for just two hours, the Cathay Pacific Cargo flight
will unload cargo destined for the Midwest and Southwest before loading new
cargo destined for Hong Kong and beyond.
The addition of new carriers like Cathay Pacific speaks to the vitality of
the region and shippers ability to reach more than 50 million customers
within 24 hours by truck. In addition, the International Air Cargo Centre and
other facilities at DFW have approximately 3 million square feet of cargo
facilities, with more than 200 truck dock doors and ramp parking for eight
747s. The Airport will see the addition of 118,000 square feet of cargo
facilities opening this month, and the ability to handle an additional three
747s or two A380s as Phase III of the International Air Cargo Centre is
opened.
About Cathay Pacific:
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited is one of the worlds leading passenger and
cargo airlines, serving more than one million customers a month to Asia,
Europe and North America. The carrier offers daily non-stop service to Hong
Kong and beyond from New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Headquartered
and founded in Hong Kong in 1946, Cathay Pacific and its two major
shareholders are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Cathay Pacific is a
member of the oneworld(TM) alliance, which includes Aer Lingus, American
Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Lan Chile and Qantas.
About DFW International Airport
Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW
International Airport is the worlds third busiest, offering nearly 2,000
flights per day and serving 59 million passengers a year. DFW International
Airport provides non-stop service to 135 domestic and 39 international
destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information,
parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided
at DFW International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com .
