ZURICH's swiss WorldCargo has joined Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Frankfurt's Lufthansa Cargo in an Asia-Europe air freight network, reports IHS Media.
Despite Covid restrictions, Cathay Pacific's passenger numbers were down almost 99 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels, Cathay cargo chief Tom Owen viewed the new alliance as a positive.
'The addition of Swiss WorldCargo's flights to the already large, combined network of Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa will further bring Hong Kong, the world's busiest air cargo hub, closer to Europe and strengthen one of the world's great trade lanes,' said Mr Owen.
Cathay is resuming daily flights to and from London Heathrow, as well as increasing passenger flights to the US, Australia, New Zealand and India.
April throughput of 375,000 tonnes at Hong Kong airport was down 2.8 per cent year on year, while the 12-month volume of 4.9 million tonnes through April was down six per cent.
'From June we intend to add long-haul freighter destinations in Europe and the Americas, and resume freighter services for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia,' said Cathay commercial officer Ronald Lam.
Overall cargo to and from Europe experienced the most significant declines during April, Hong Kong airport noted, although no specific volume figure was provided for the trade lane.
With many passenger flights that normally provide at least half the available cargo capacity still on the ground, air freight rate levels on Asia-North Europe have remained elevated since the pandemic began in early 2020. This week's rate of $7.05 per kilogramme is almost 60 per cent higher year on year, according to the Baltic Air Index.
Cathay Cargo operates 20 freighters and has access to the bellies in its long-haul passenger fleet of 150 planes. Lufthansa Cargo has 12 operating freighters and 11 on order, while the group comprising Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings Discover and SunExpress, operates 700 passenger aircraft. Swiss WorldCargo operates 95 passenger planes, but no freighters.
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Despite Covid restrictions, Cathay Pacific's passenger numbers were down almost 99 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels, Cathay cargo chief Tom Owen viewed the new alliance as a positive.
'The addition of Swiss WorldCargo's flights to the already large, combined network of Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa will further bring Hong Kong, the world's busiest air cargo hub, closer to Europe and strengthen one of the world's great trade lanes,' said Mr Owen.
Cathay is resuming daily flights to and from London Heathrow, as well as increasing passenger flights to the US, Australia, New Zealand and India.
April throughput of 375,000 tonnes at Hong Kong airport was down 2.8 per cent year on year, while the 12-month volume of 4.9 million tonnes through April was down six per cent.
'From June we intend to add long-haul freighter destinations in Europe and the Americas, and resume freighter services for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia,' said Cathay commercial officer Ronald Lam.
Overall cargo to and from Europe experienced the most significant declines during April, Hong Kong airport noted, although no specific volume figure was provided for the trade lane.
With many passenger flights that normally provide at least half the available cargo capacity still on the ground, air freight rate levels on Asia-North Europe have remained elevated since the pandemic began in early 2020. This week's rate of $7.05 per kilogramme is almost 60 per cent higher year on year, according to the Baltic Air Index.
Cathay Cargo operates 20 freighters and has access to the bellies in its long-haul passenger fleet of 150 planes. Lufthansa Cargo has 12 operating freighters and 11 on order, while the group comprising Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings Discover and SunExpress, operates 700 passenger aircraft. Swiss WorldCargo operates 95 passenger planes, but no freighters.
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