DFW International Airport Lands New International Cargo Business With Yangtze River Express

Expanded cargo service to Shanghai; $20 million in economic impact expected

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yangtze River Express will land at DFW International Airport four times weekly beginning May 22. The Shanghai-based cargo carrier is a joint-venture company of China Airlines (CI) and HNA (HU), and its new service will bring an estimated $20 million in new economic benefit to the North Texas region and additional cargo lift capacity direct to China. DFW becomes the second U.S. destination for Yangtze River Express, and its fourth destination outside of China.

The new service will begin in Shanghai at Pudong International Airport, connect in Los Angeles and continue to DFW before returning to Shanghai.

"The central location of DFW and the strong North Texas market is really encouraging a lot of growth for our business," said Paul Hsueh, vice president Marketing & Sales, Yangtze River Express. "DFW's great airfield access and ability to move cargo to its final destination were key factors in our decision."

DFW handled nearly 308,000 metric tonnes of international freight in calendar year 2008, the eleventh straight year that the Airport has seen significant growth in overseas trade shipments.

"We are excited that Yangtze River Express is expanding their service to DFW," said Joe Lopano, executive vice president for marketing and terminal management at DFW. "Clearly, the entire North Texas economy stands to benefit from this kind of growth, as we continue to enhance our international cargo and passenger traffic and truly make the region a premier international destination."

Yangtze River Express' expansion gives DFW International Airport a total of 36 cargo freighter flights every week from Asia. Other carriers already flying freighters from Asian destinations to North Texas include Singapore Airlines Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Korean Air Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, China Cargo Airlines and EVA Air Cargo.

The majority of DFW's cargo exports will consist largely of technology-driven capital goods. Imports into DFW will include industrial goods, high-technology equipment and consumer electronics.

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 1,750 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year. DFW has been named "Best Airport for Customer Service in North America" by an Airports Council International survey of passengers in 2006 and 2007. DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 134 domestic and 37 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com.