Daily Cathay Pacific Cargo Flights Take DFW International Airport Asian Cargo Freighters To All Time Highs

(DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Aug. 2, 2007) – DFW International Airport announced today that Cathay Pacific Cargo will add three additional weekly frequencies, bringing their freighter service to daily in one of the one of the fastestgrowing international cargo markets in the United States. The DFW International Airport Board was briefed on the new service today and applauded Cathay for more than doubling its service to DFW in less than two years. Two of the three new flights began the last week of July with the most recent flight beginning in late August. 

“Cathay Pacific Cargo is taking advantage of the growing North Texas economy and a continued growth in trade with Asia,” said Joe Lopano, DFW’s executive vice president of marketing and terminal management. “DFW offers great access to business with 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered within 45 minutes of the Airport and 56 within the state of Texas. Lower landing fees and our Air Service Incentive Program continue to decrease the risk involved in bringing new flights and new service to DFW.” 

The North Texas economy has continued to grow, adding three new Fortune 500 companies in the past two years. Cargo growth has more than tripled at DFW since 1996 with Asian cargo growth far outpacing both domestic and other international locations. Since 2002, Asian freighter cargo has grown at an average annual rate of approximately 22 percent. 

The new flights will follow the Hong Kong, DFW, Atlanta and back to Hong Kong route on Tuesday – Sunday, with the seventh frequency taking the Hong Kong, Atlanta, DFW and back to Hong Kong route. Cathay Pacific Cargo’s new flights will utilize 747-400 aircraft. 

“Demand to and from both Dallas and Atlanta has been strong since the launch of these two new routes,” said Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison. “The addition of three more frequencies bringing the freighter service to daily will make our service more attractive to shippers and strengthen Hong Kong as a regional hub for air cargo.” 

DFW has now secured 42 weekly freighter flights to Asia every week with the three new Cathay Pacific Cargo flights. Asian cargo growth at DFW amounted to more than 21 percent in 2006 with the addition of seven new cargo freighter flights to Asia. Additionally, DFW has seen cargo grow by 119 percent since 2003 with seven Asian airlines. 

“DFW continues to work very hard to make the initial investment in new and existing service as minimal as possible,” said Bill Frainey, DFW’s assistant vice president of marketing. “DFW has been able to offer airlines landing fee rebates and marketing support in addition to a very competitive landing fee. Cathay Pacific Cargo has been able to capitalize on the outstanding North Texas economy with easy access to destinations throughout the South, Southwest and Central United States.” 

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