OSAKA ADDED TO DRAGONAIR FREIGHTER NETWORK

Subject to government approval, Dragonair is to add Osaka to its cargo network, with a twice-weekly freighter service commencing on May 12. The airline’s wet-leased Boeing 747-200 will operate on the route between Hong Kong and Japan’s second biggest city.

“Osaka is the gateway to a major industrial hinterland, and our service will take advantage of the demand that stems from that,” said Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Dragonair.

“This will add strength to our freighter operations at a time when they are already experiencing huge growth. And will provide greater choice to exporters and importers in the markets we serve.”

Dragonair launched its first freighter service on July 28 last year. It currently operates to Shanghai, Manchester in the UK, Amsterdam and Dubai.

The freighter will operate between Hong Kong and Osaka (KIX) every Wednesday and Saturday on the following schedule (local time):

Route Flight Departs Arrives

HKG-KIX KA510 0620 1100

KIX-HKG KA511 1255 1555



The Boeing 747-200 can carry 100 tonnes of cargo. It is wet-leased from Atlas Air Inc. of the US. However, Dragonair has purchased two Boeing 747-300 aircraft that are currently undergoing conversion into freighters. They will enter service in August and October this year.

Dragonair is a Hong Kong-based airline, operating a fleet of five A330-300s, three A321s and seven A320s in addition to a Boeing 747-200 freighter. It has announced plans to double its fleet by the end of 2005. The airline’s passenger network covers 27 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, while its all-cargo network connects the markets of Europe, the Middle East and China.