Korean Air expects to earn US$3 million for moving Beaujolais Nouveau

Korean Air is expected to earn approximately US$3 million for moving 1,148 tons of Beaujolais Nouveau, a globally recognised wine from the Beaujolais region in the South of France. This cargo volume is equivalent to the capacity of B747-400s by 11.5 times.

This year's carriage amount is 10% fewer than last year's 1,264 tons but the Beaujolais Nouveau wine is still one of the favorite items for Korean Air Cargo.

Korean Air will operate a total of seven cargo charter flights (5 Europe-bound flights and 2 Japan-bound flights from Incheon International Airport) for the sole purpose of transporting the seasonal wine between November 10 and 13. 

"November is the peak season for air cargo," said a spokesperson of Korean Air. “We have great demand for the shipment of IT items to export to Europe so that we can maximize our profits by carrying Beaujolais Nouveau back to Asia. We have close to 100% load factors on our aircraft."

Beaujolais Nouveau will be on the rack from the third week of November around the globe, especially Japan - which is the country with the largest wine demand in Asia. Beaujolais Nouveau is one of the seasonal items that many cargo carriers compete to move and its cost for transportation is higher than other items.

The first freighter KE8524, carrying Beaujolais Nouveau, arrived at Incheon International Airport from Brussels on November 11, from where the French wine will be flown directly to Osaka, Japan. A total 5 flights will be operated to deliver French wine to Japan until November 17.

From November 17 onwards, Korean Air will celebrate the launch of France's 2005 Beaujolais Nouveau Village wines by serving it free in flights.

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