The global forwarding and logistics group Panalpina has successfully launched its new own controlled regular air freight services connecting Luxembourg with the new Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport and Hong Kong. Furthermore, Panalpina announces the introduction of an express air service from Hong Kong via Huntsville/Alabama to São Paulo in Brazil. As with the transatlantic service “Dixie Jet”, Panalpina uses Boeing 747-400F aircraft operated by Atlas Air. With the arrival of the Atlas all cargo B747F airplane last week, Panalpina has successfully launched its recently announced own controlled airfreight service to the Dubai World Central (DWC)-Al Maktoum International Airport. It is the first ever scheduled freighter service calling at the new state-of-the-art airport. Dubai will be regularly served as part of Panalpina’s new round the world rotation connecting Luxembourg, Dubai, South Africa, Hong Kong, North America and Latin America. According to Claus Schmidt, Panalpina’s Middle East Area Manager, “this service is a milestone in Panalpina’s growth plans in the region. It links our new Middle East distribution centre at DWC with our network in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. It also allows us to offer our customers a unique and highly flexible solution for time sensitive airfreight, including fast turnaround times from cargo arrival to delivery.” New express service to Brazil With the introduction of its new service, Panalpina – in cooperation with Atlas Air – offers own controlled services to Luxembourg, Johannesburg (South Africa), Dubai, Hong Kong and Huntsville/Alabama. In addition, the company announces a new express service to Brazil with an airport-to-airport transit time of 30 hours from Hong Kong via Huntsville to São Paulo. “This transportation leg is being added due to the high demand for fast and reliable connections from Asia to Brazil”, commented Karl Weyeneth, Chief Operating Officer of the Panalpina Group. Matthias Frey, Head of Panalpina’s Own Controlled Network, added that “we need stable own controlled capacity in order to provide first class links to South America and have thus established a concept linking various stations in Asia with North America and Brazil directly.”