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Newsroom
Houston Airport System
March 6, 2009
HOUSTON, TX (March 6, 2009) - The Houston Airport System today celebrated the inaugural flight of Cathay Pacific Cargo at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The thrice weekly all-cargo service from Houston to Hong Kong operates on Cathay Pacific Cargo's Boeing 747-400 ERF Extended Range Freighter.
"Especially during a tough economy, we appreciate this new growth at Bush Intercontinental," said Rick Vacar, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System. "We realize this is a bold move by Cathay Pacific Cargo in this economic environment, and it demonstrates the strength of Houston as an outstanding cargo market within the Americas."
The Cathay Pacific route will move the freighter from Hong Kong-Anchorage-Miami-Houston-Anchorage-Hong Kong. The air cargo loaded in Houston will include the region's top export items, such as oil and gas equipment, industrial machinery and high-tech components. Shippers will then distribute the freight through Hong Kong to Houston's key trading partners in Singapore, Japan, India, China and Australia.
"We are bringing a very strong suite of cargo products to the local marketplace," said Scott Mowrer, senior vice president, Americas, for Cathay Pacific Airways. "Coupled with the strength of our Hong Kong hub and extensive route network throughout Asia, we're going to be a pretty compelling option for shippers throughout the greater Houston area."
"It's exciting to welcome our twelfth freighter operator to Houston," said Vacar. "The risk we assumed when expanding our cargo facilities at Bush Intercontinental
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The flight crew is welcomed into Houston as Cathay Pacific begins service at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Broadfoot
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years ago is now paying great dividends, and today's return on investment occurs when Cathay Pacific Cargo lands in Houston."
By investing $3.1 billion in the airport's infrastructure from 1999 to 2004, including a $180 million air cargo distribution center, the Houston Airport System has successfully attracted all-cargo carriers from around the world-Cathay Pacific is the fourth Asian-based airline to enter the market since 2006.
"We are very fortunate to have plenty of space to grow here in Houston and we still have the ability to expand our Cargo Center," adds Vacar. "It's our flexibility to accommodate growth that results in new carriers recognizing Houston's strategic location and fast-growing cargo market."
The cargo operation at Houston's hub airport features advanced computer technology which helps U.S. Customs clear cargo while it's still in the air, reducing red tape, speeding up shipment delivery and ultimately, saving shippers money. The IAH CargoCenter offers efficient air cargo operations, 550,000 square feet of warehousing, and ramp capacity for up to 20 widebody aircraft.
As one of the top five cargo carriers in the world, Cathay Pacific Cargo is now the twelfth all-cargo airline operating at Houston's hub airport. Houston Airports continue to build relationships with airlines globally and establish interest in future economic development in the Houston market. Houston is the nation's fourth largest exporter overall and the tenth largest exporter of air cargo by both weight and value.
In 2008, air cargo airlines at Bush Intercontinental Airport handled more than 372,000 metric tons of air freight, a 14 percent increase as compared to volumes handled five years earlier.
Bush Intercontinental Airport is recognized for its superior air cargo facilities and has received the Air Cargo World's Air Cargo Excellence Award for four consecutive years.
The Houston Airport System (HAS) served more than 50 million passengers in 2008, ranking as the 4th largest multi-airport system in the U.S. and the 6th largest airport in the world. Houston's three airports contribute more than $24 billion to the regional economy and are responsible for the employment of 151,000 people. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), now celebrating its 40th Anniversary, is the 8th busiest airport in the nation. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) together have served the Texas Gulf Coast region for more than 150 years. For more information, visit fly2houston.com and watch "Houston Airports Today" every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on KTBU My Channel 55.
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