North Carolina-based SkyLease Cargo has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for exemption authority to operate scheduled cargo (property and mail) flights between the US and Hong Kong via intermediate points and beyond to points in third countries.

The carrier said it intends to operate a twice weekly service from Miami International to Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok via Tokyo Narita and returning via Anchorage Ted Stevens. It does not intend to carry local Tokyo-Hong Kong traffic. Using its fleet of four B747-400Fs and five MD-11Fs, SkyLease currently operates extensive scheduled and charter flights in a number of international markets.