Cathay Pacific is adding cargo flights between Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and Hong Kong, a link that continues to rise in importance as Americans' appetite for Asian imports increases.
The Hong Kong-based carrier will offer 747-400 service three times a week starting Nov. 19.
Hong Kong, D/FW's largest air cargo market, is an important area for consumer electronics and technology parts, according to an airport official.
"These are all time-sensitive materials that need to fly on aircraft as quickly as they can," said Joe Lopano, the airport's executive vice president for marketing and revenue management. "And so D/FW is quickly becoming a major distribution point for Asian cargo."
D/FW says it is the fifth-largest Asian cargo airport in the nation. This is the airport's first dedicated cargo service to Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong has been one of the top markets on our list," Lopano said.
D/FW's cargo business grew 28 percent between 2003 and 2004, according to the airport. Asian cargo is 60 percent of the airport's business.
D/FW has 34 cargo flights a week to Asia.
