Cathay Pacific Airways has launched a new service to Kolkata, India, commencing 11 March 2015. Cathay Pacific will become the only carrier providing direct freighter services between Kolkata and Hong Kong.

The scheduled service will operate twice a week on a HK-New Delhi-Kolkata-HK routing. It will strengthen the airline’s airfreight presence within the subcontinent, offering customers choice and flexibility when moving goods between South Asia and other parts of the world.

Cathay Pacific’s director cargo James Woodrow said: “India is a very important market for Cathay Pacific and we are delighted to build on our existing network of five freighter destinations in the country. The new Kolkata service will boost the flow of garments and food products to and from India, taking advantage of our world-class facilities in Hong Kong to connect to our comprehensive global cargo network.”