TNT increases air freight capacity between China and Europe
TNT is increasing its air freight capacity between China and Europe to meet growing demand. Starting today (5 July), the company is scheduling an additional Boeing 747-400 ERF aircraft between China and its European air hub in Liege, Belgium (as announced on 8 April 2010).
TNT will increase its service frequency to six flights per week from Shanghai and five flights per week from Hong Kong. TNT is responding to the stronger demand in China for its air services, especially from the high-tech and fashion industries.
Chinese exports to Europe rose almost 50% during the five first 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 $177bn, an increase of 37.4% over last year, confirming the EU’s position as China’s number one trade partner.
“Our continuous investment demonstrates TNT’s long-term confidence in China and our commitment to enhancing our service capabilities,” said Michael Drake, regional managing director of TNT North Asia. “With our integrated air and road delivery capabilities in China and Europe, we are well-positioned to capitalise on the strong trading links between these two trading regions.”
“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.”
The 110-ton Boeing 747-400 ERF (Extended Range Freighter) offers a very competitive ton-mile cost in the industry. TNT started to operate a B747-400 ERF on non-stop air service between China and Europe in February 2007, and expanded its air service offering by linking Hong Kong to Liege in September 2009. Besides international.
