Air China Cargo is preparing to launch its first scheduled freighter service between China and Canada. On Sept. 3, the carrier plans to begin six-times-a-week 777F service from Shanghai to Edmonton International Airport (EIA), in Canada’s Alberta province, followed by another stop at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
The new Shanghai-Edmonton-Dallas-Edmonton-Shanghai route will connect China to the major oil and gas centers of Alberta and Texas, so the service is expected to be used heavily by energy companies seeking to move equipment, tools and other cargo between them. This is also the only freighter service between Alberta and Texas.
EIA estimates that this new service will boost the GDP of the region by US$31 million per year. EIA is situated near two business centers – the Nisku Business Park and the Leduc Business Park – which will provide opportunities for cargo businesses to work with Air China Cargo as well. The airport is also near major highways for easy truck transport.
Additionally, EIA was granted a Foreign Trade Zone designation by the Canadian government in June. EIA has seen five consecutive years of growth in cargo volume, which has been driven mainly by the energy industry and its supporting manufacturing companies.