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Just when it looked like Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HIAA) was set to close the books on a highly successful lobster export season, HIAA announced a new cargo carrier, Yangtze River Express Airlines, will serve Halifax beginning Jan. 7, 2017.
A Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft will depart Halifax Stanfield at 6:50 p.m. that day, the first of five additional cargo flights operating on a charter basis between Canada and China in the month of January.
“We are excited to welcome Yangtze River Express to Halifax Stanfield, in time for them to export fresh Nova Scotia lobster for the upcoming busy Chinese festive season,” said Bert van der Stege, HIAA vice- president of business development and chief commercial officer.
“Our investment in a new 17,000 square metre cargo pad is providing us with additional capacity, making Halifax Stanfield an even more attractive airport for cargo exports.”
Over $15 million worth of Nova Scotia seafood has already been shipped overseas this holiday season, a number that will increase to around $25 million by the end of January 2017 when Chinese New Year is being celebrated.
“Nova Scotia lobsters are in high demand in China,” said Jevey Zhang, president of Yangtze River Express Airlines. “We’re happy to provide additional capacity between Halifax and China, ensuring fresh lobsters arrive here in the shortest possible time.”
Several carriers are transporting seafood this season including: Air Canada, CargoJet, Korean Air Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, CAL Cargo Airlines and FedEx.
