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Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways established to design, build and operate the new Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport, today announced that the Terminal will commence operations on 21st February 2013 (Thursday).
To ensure our launch airline customers, Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair, can enjoy a smooth transition from their current cargo operations at the airport to the new terminal, a prudent three-stage approach will be adopted. Stage One will commence on 21st February, when the Terminal will start the handling of valuable cargo, transit civil mail and interface transfer transhipments for the two airlines. In the summer, Stage Two operations will commence for all transhipments, import cargo and empty unit load device (ULD) release. The Terminal will achieve full operations for its launch customers in the latter half of this year.
Cathay Pacific Services Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Algernon Yau said: "We are about to open the doors on one of the largest and most sophisticated air cargo terminals in the world. This facility is designed to offer our customer airlines the advantage of extended cut-off times, last-minute cargo acceptance and reduced connection handling time for transhipments due to a strategic mix of just-in-time operations and advanced technology. As we move forward and ultimately bring our services fully online, we will further enhance Hong Kong's position as a world leading air cargo hub."
Cathay Pacific Director Cargo Nick Rhodes said: "This is an extremely positive development for the Hong Kong air cargo community. Cathay Pacific will serve as a launch customer for the new terminal, which will certainly enhance our own operation; but of equal importance is our ability to help CPSL fine tune its processes so that it is ready to offer truly superior services when it begins accepting new customers (later this year). At the core, this new terminal is designed to support the long-term growth of air cargo in Hong Kong."
In order to ensure the readiness of the advanced Materials Handling System, cargo handling equipment, operating procedures and the tailored Warehouse Operating System, eight-week operation trials are being run before each stage of transition. Key industry players, business partners and government bodies are involved in testing all aspects of the handling procedures at the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal. The stage one operation trial was completed successfully in mid-December last year.
The new HK$5.9 billion Terminal, specially designed for cargo hub operations, provides an extensive range of cargo handling services to customers. It is capable of handling 2.6 million tonnes of throughput per year, increasing Hong Kong International Airport's annual capacity by 50 per cent to 7.4 million tonnes.
When fully operational, more than 1,800 jobs will be created to support the operation in achieving unparalleled efficiency and service innovation.
In line with Cathay Pacific's proven track record of developing its buildings to the highest environmental standards, the design of the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal incorporates many sustainable and environment-friendly features, including energy-efficiency in the Materials Handling System design. Optimal planning will help to maximise energy efficiency in the facility, with chilled-ceiling cooling in the Terminal's offices expected to cut power consumption by up to 30 per cent, high performance cladding also used for offices, and the use of natural daylight maximised throughout the building.
Cathay Pacific Services Ltd announced the new Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal
will adopt a prudent three-stage approach with Stage One operation
to be commenced on 21st February 2013 to ensure smooth transition.
In order to ensure the readiness of the advanced Materials Handling System, cargo handling equipment, operating procedures and the tailored Warehouse Operating System, eight-week operation trials are being run before each stage of transition. The stage one operation trial was completed successfully in mid-December last year.
Cathay Pacific Services Limited
Cathay Pacific Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited. The Company was formed in January 2008 and was awarded a 20-year franchise by Airport Authority Hong Kong in March 2008, to design, build and operate a new cargo terminal at the Hong Kong International Airport - the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal.