UPS Begins Direct Flights Between Hong Kong, Philippines
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) today announced the successful launch of direct air service between Hong Kong and its intra-Asia hub in the Philippines (Clark), providing another direct link for customers shipping within Asia and around the world.
“By utilizing our own aircraft, UPS gains the flexibility to operate its network even more efficiently and reliably for the benefit of customers,” said Richard Loi, managing director of UPS Hong Kong.
The new service was launched after UPS received an interim grant of authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand its service to and through Hong Kong. The United States and China negotiated a bilateral aviation agreement in October 2002 that authorizes such “beyond” rights, and UPS has applied for permanent authority to use 18 of the new flight frequencies.
Launched less then a year after UPS opened its intra-Asia hub at Clark in the Philippines, the new flights enable UPS to connect Hong Kong and the South China region to major business centers in Asia and Europe. UPS will use a Boeing 767 jet for the daily flights between Hong Kong and its air hub at Clark.
By liberalizing its existing air agreement with the United States last year, Hong Kong increased access for U.S. carriers by more than 700 percent. UPS believes the move further strengthens Hong Kong’s role as a major logistics center in Asia and an important gateway to the booming South China region.
