Following eight years of successful operations at Budapest, Cargolux the Luxembourg based all cargo carrier, has added a fifth weekly 747-400F flight from Hong Kong. Cargolux is the only cargo carrier offering direct services out of Asia, which is greatly appreciated by the local forwarders. The carrier now offers five weekly frequencies from Hong Kong to Budapest, one flight on Tuesdays, two flights on Wednesdays, and one flight each on Friday and Sunday.

The inbound cargo, offloaded in Budapest, on average approximately 50 tonnes per flight, consists mostly of IT related components, telecommunications and audio equipment, as well as machinery and textiles. Telecommunications equipment is assembled in the region and later re-exported for worldwide markets.

Outbound Flights from Budapest to Luxembourg are operated on Tuesday with two flights, Wednesday afternoon, Friday afternoon, and Sunday late afternoon, connecting with Cargolux's global route network. Apart from assembled IT equipment, outbound cargo includes hi-tech machinery, cars, art works, handicrafts, medicines and pharmaceuticals, as well as other perishables, plus local gourmet goose liver, destined for Taipei, Hong Kong and Japan.

Cargolux's Regional Manager Anthony McNichol states. 'Budapest service is also widely popular for imports into Austria, with Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz, and Vienna as main destinations of all incoming cargo, for which overnight trucking services ex BUD are offered. In addition, direct deliveries are made for shipments of 1000 kilos plus, especially welcomed by the local consignees. Furthermore, from our offices in Vienna and Budapest, we offer efficient airport-to-airport services to all surrounding countries. Main destinations are Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Ljubljana, Bucharest, and Sofia'.

Kam Jandu, Director Aviation at Budapest Airport, welcomes this extra flight. 'We are pleased that Europe's leading freighter operator has chosen to expand its services at Budapest. The extra capacity will be good news for our forwarders and their customers. We have currently around 10 cargo carriers operating regularly here, with Cargolux producing the biggest tonnage. Our proximity to several other growing markets, especially Austria, makes Budapest an efficient hub for reaching various markets. In addition to having direct access to a first class road network connecting seven immediate neighbouring countries, Budapest also can access a further 20 European markets within 1000km. When all the facilities are combined, Budapest is a very attractive and perfectly positioned, cargo friendly hub. 2010 began very successfully as Cargo in Q1 increased by 30% compared with 2009 and Freighter ATM increased by 22% from 1.100 to 1.350 movements.'