China Airlines is charging ahead with new cargo service at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, adding a third flight to the schedule.

Just three months after debuting new freighter service between Taipei and Houston, the air carrier is adding a Sunday morning flight. China Airlines launched its Boeing 747-400F cargo service at Bush with two flights a week on Thursday and Saturday, making it the first scheduled Asian carrier with passenger and cargo service in Houston.

China Airlines is focusing on opportunities in Houston’s petrochemical, medical, aerospace and informational technology industries.  One of the major exports to Asia is petroleum exploration equipment.

This new service comes during a record setting year for the Houston Airport System which has seen a 31-percent year-over-year increase in total international air cargo service and an additional two and a half million new passengers, year-to-date through the month of September 2006.