Calgary Airport is trying to enticeSamsung, LG and other Asian manufacturersto set up distribution centres onairport, as part of its plans to cementits existing transpacific freighter servicefrom Asiana. Any companies interestedcould be accommodated in a 90,000square metre airside building, whichwill be opened next year.

But Tom Kirk, director of cargo developmentat the airport, says it is notactively pursuing more Asian carriers atpresent. "Asiana are getting good loads,but our focus is on retaining them, notadding more carriers. I am not sure ifthe Calgary market could support toomany Asian carriers," he says.

According to Kirk, Asiana is applyingfor rights to boost its servicesfrom three to five freighters a week.The airport also has a thrice weeklytransatlantic B747-400F service fromCargolux. "The gap is South America.We would like to have a connection tothere," says Kirk.

¨C Peter Conway