TNT is increasing its air freight capacity between China and Europe to meet growing demand, especially from the high-tech and fashion industries, with an additional B747-400ERF aircraft between China and its European air hub in Liege, Belgium. TNT will increase its service frequency to six flights per week from Shanghai and five flights per week from Hong Kong.

Chinese exports to Europe rose almost 50 per cent during the first five months of 2010 from a year before, according to the Chinese General Administration of Customs. During the same period, the bilateral trade between China and the EU totaled US$177 billion, an increase of 37.4 per cent over last year, confirming the EU’s position as China’s number one trade partner.

“TNT has seen a significant increase in customer demand for freight services between the regions. Our current freighters between China and Europe are operating at full capacity,” said Iman Stratenus, managing director of TNT China. “The increased dedicated freighter capacity will ensure our customers, especially those in the high-tech and fashion/life-style sectors, become more competitive due to shorter factory-to-market lead times and increased supply chain management efficiency.”