Freight operator Polar Air Cargo has made its first touch down at Auckland Airport for a new weekly service.
The operator will fly between Auckland, Sydney and Seoul Incheon Airport, South Korea.
It becomes the sixth airline operating scheduled international freighter services to and from Auckland Airport and the first dedicated freighter link between Auckland Airport and Seoul Incheon Airport.
Auckland Airport aeronautical commercial general manager Scott Tasker says it’s “a significant vote of confidence” and adds much-needed cargo capacity.
The freighter service also opens up additional connectivity options to and from other key Asian markets, he says.
“With the borders closed to everyone except returning New Zealanders and departing travellers, freight has really settled into a pattern of lower available capacity and high utilisation of available space.
“The steep reduction in air connectivity typically provided by passenger aircraft, which prior to the pandemic supplied 80% of available cargo capacity in their belly-holds, is contributing to this capacity shortfall.
“Having Polar adds a new option for New Zealand air deliveries and freight forwarders, particularly in the express segment,” Tasker says.
Polar Air Cargo executive vice president and chief operating officer Lars Winkelbauer says the new air route will help drive growth and export opportunities for customers.
“With the continued growth of e-commerce, the resulting air cargo demand, and shortage of cargo belly space on passenger aircraft, freight forwarders rely more than ever on freighter aircraft to move their goods,” Winkelbauer says.
The latest air cargo figures show international air freight demand has declined 19% year-on-year for July 2020.
Total international freight capacity at Auckland Airport was down 46% for the month of July, in line with the previous month.
Auckland Airport currently processes more than 90% of New Zealand’s international air cargo.
Polar Air Cargo will be flying the route with a Boeing 747-8F – the latest and largest variant of the 747 jumbo jet – capable of carrying up to 133 tonnes of payload.
Polar is an Atlas Air Worldwide company with a strategic partnership with DHL Express.
