Air China Cargo (ACC) has announced a new maindeck service to North America from 3 September. The B777F service will see six flights a week Shanghai-Edmonton-Dallas-Edmonton-Shanghai Edmonton making it the carrier’s first scheduled freighter destination in Canada. ACC will use a high-volume-capacity B777F aircraft, serving Edmonton International Airport (EIA) located in the western province of Alberta, six times per week (three from Dallas and three from Shanghai).
“This will be the first freighter route between Mainland China and Alberta, and is a key step in connecting two economies with high-growth momentum,” says Patrick Yu, Air China Cargo VP. “The market demand for direct cargo services between Asia and Canada has been growing and our brand new route will help build important trade links between the two regions.”
“Air China Cargo’s investment in EIA greatly expands the Edmonton Metro region and Alberta’s cargo network,” says Tom Ruth, EIA president and CEO. “Our energy, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries can now ship goods more efficiently to China and the Asia-Pacific region, expanding our region’s global trade reach.”
The service will also bring many consumer goods like smart phones, tablets, audio/visual components, fashion merchandise and many other retail products to Edmonton from China.
“China and the Asia-Pacific region hold tremendous opportunities for Canadian exporters,” says Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade. Businesses need a strong transportation network and reliable supply chains in order to take advantage of these opportunities, and enhanced cargo service through Edmonton International Airport will help to strengthen these links and increase trade between Canada and Asia.”
The new service also substantially increases cargo capacity between Alberta and Texas, helping companies move equipment, tools and products between the two energy centres. It will be the only freighter service between Alberta and Texas. Many companies in Nisku Business Park, for example, are closely affiliated with, or divisions of, companies in the large oil and gas industrial parks of Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
