Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has announced that Czech Airlines Cargo (CSA Cargo) is its latest new airline customer. Czech launched its inaugural commercial flight between Hong Kong and Prague on 9 November.
CSA Cargo appointed Hactl as its cargo service provider at Hong Kong International Airport covering physical cargo handling and air cargo documentation handling. CSA Cargo is one of the SkyTeam Cargo Alliance member carriers, of which six SkyTeam Cargo carriers currently use Hactl’s services.
"We are delighted to welcome CSA Cargo as our new customer, and we congratulate the carrier on the launch of its weekly freighter service to Hong Kong," said Lilian Chan, general manager, marketing and customer service of Hactl.
"As a close partner of SkyTeam Cargo Alliance, we are confident that Hactl will continue to provide CSA Cargo with the same world-class cargo services offered to any other SkyTeam Cargo Alliance member carriers."
"For Czech Airlines, the Prague – Dubai – Hong Kong connection is our first all cargo long-haul route," said Jan Grabmùller, cargo director of CSA Cargo. "New opportunities are opening up for our airlines with the commencement of this service. Looking forward, we will off er more new destinations in Asia, and I believe the revenue contribution from cargo will increase significantly. "
Hactl also announced that Wuhan-based East Star Airlines Company Limited (East Star Airlines) also opted for Hactl’s physical cargo handling and air cargo documentation handling services. Th e carrier launched its inaugural flight on 22 November, starting its daily flight between Wuhan, China and Hong Kong.
Wuhan is the first city in China to adopt the open sky policy. In July 2007, East Star Airlines was granted the rights to operate international service and became the first privately owned Chinese airline to be granted the permission to operate international flights.
"It is exciting for our airlines to run flight services outside Mainland China and we are pleased to start our daily flight service between Wuhan and Hong Kong," said Adrian Tang, general manager, representative office of Hong Kong and Macau, of East Star Airlines said.
"We foresee massive opportunities for our business growth in the region, especially when all Mainland cities are expected to adopt the open sky policies by 2010."