DFW International Airport has announced significant new freighter service to North Texas, just as the Airport's new International Cargo Centre opens for business. Air France Cargo will land its first freighter at DFW on April 1, marking a vital addition of new European cargo service from DFW. In addition, DFW will see new cargo service from China Cargo, with two new frequencies weekly beginning in June.
"This just makes sense for Air France," said Jean-Yves Cap, Director of Air France Cargo USA. "We did a survey of the cargo market and saw a need that we could fill. Air France will shift one of our three weekly flights from Houston to DFW."
The new Air France flight will have an annual economic impact of $3.5 million and will arrive every Saturday from Paris Charles de Gaulle, after a stop in Mexico City. The Boeing 747-400 freighter will then leave DFW on its way back to Paris.
"We anticipate that two-thirds of the cargo bound for Paris will originate from DFW," said Cap. "With Korean Air already flying a full cargo plane to DFW daily, we anticipate quick growth with the help of our Skyteam Cargo alliance."
Founding Skyteam Cargo airlines are Air France, Korean, Aeromexico, and Delta Air Logistics. In the five years since its creation, the Atlanta-based group has added KLM, CSA, Alitalia, and Northwest Airlines.
"Just one month from now DFW will finally have Air France Cargo," said Joe Lopano, executive vice president of marketing and terminal management. "We have been working to get Air France to come to DFW for years. The time is right, the market is primed and we look forward to having key new service to Europe."
France currently accounts for 17,400 tons of cargo in and out of DFW annually. This new flight is expected to raise the annual tonnage by as much as 7,800 tons.
"Not only does Air France provide a great opportunity for DFW to increase its service to Europe, it also opens up the airline's huge network, providing increased trade opportunities to Europe, Africa and the Middle East," said Lopano. "New service like that of Air France and China Cargo allow companies reliant on foreign goods to bring their product to market faster, cheaper and ultimately provides the customer with greater choices."
Beginning in June, China Cargo will expand its current service to DFW with the addition of two 747 flights a week. The additional two weekly flights will begin in Shanghai, stop at DFW, then Chicago O'Hare, Beijing and finally return to Shanghai. The airline has enjoyed outstanding growth at DFW beginning in February 2004 with three MD-11 flights per week. China Cargo quickly added a fourth weekly flight and upgraded their aircraft complement to include two MD-11s and two 747s.
DFW has seen outstanding growth over the last year, with international cargo growing at 11 percent a year and Asian cargo growth at six percent. Asian freighters will frequent DFW 35 times per week with the addition of China Cargo's two new flights representing two-thirds of DFW's international cargo. Air France's new service to DFW marks a 20% increase in European cargo freighters weekly.
"China Cargo is a great airline that is really taking advantage of what DFW has to offer," said Lopano. "We have a great Airport that offers over 18,000 acres, seven runways, 3 control towers, 12 landing approaches and no restrictions on load size or when they want to arrive day or night.
"In addition, Trammell Crow just yesterday opened International Air Cargo Centre Phase III and Logistic Centers 1, 2, and 3 on the west side of our airfield with direct access to a taxiway," added Lopano. "This new capacity helps DFW market the Airport to potential airlines, with the knowledge that they can grow their business in the same facility without having to make huge financial infrastructure investments. That really lowers the risk associated with starting new business."
Trammell Crow's master plan provide
