AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has launched a new weekly Boeing 747-400ER freighter flight from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport to Maastrict, providing a further gateway into Europe for customers in Asia.

The Thursday flight from Moscow is specifically aimed at helping ABC's customers in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing reach other destinations in The Netherlands ' AirBridgeCargo already serves Amsterdam ' as well as the extensive business regions in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.

The potential for freight into Russia from Maastricht is another factor in the launch of the new route.

Tatyana Arslanova, ABC's Executive Senior Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Sales, said: 'We are constantly talking with our customers to identify new markets that offers opportunities for us both. Maastricht is a good choice for us, offering efficient handling, operating and cost efficiencies, a congestion-free environment and a public road transport network to prime destinations across Europe.'

Maastricht AirBridge

The inaugural flight was welcomed by members of the local freight forwarding community and media, who were joined by ABC's Regional Director, EMEA, Ludwig Hamburger and his team. He highlighted that ABC's new service is another important step in developing a customer-focused route network and achieving better operating efficiency.