Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) has announced it will launch a new Boeing 747-400ERF or BCF freighter service, operated by Martinair, from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Hong Kong (HKG) via Dubai (DWC), starting September 19, 2024.

The service will initially operate thrice weekly, increasing to four weekly flights from the start of the airline’s winter schedule on October 27.

The flights to Hong Kong will depart Amsterdam on Monday (starting October 27), Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The return flights depart Hong Kong on Tuesday (starting October 27), Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

AFKLMP says this new service will provide 110 tonnes per flight capacity, facilitating seamless cargo movement across key international hubs and offering a wide range of onward connections to the Americas and Africa via our Amsterdam Schiphol hub.

The airline also says the new service allows it to offer unparalleled flexibility across the routes AMS/DWC, AMS/HKG, and DWC/HKG, as well as return flights from HKG/DWC, HKG/AMS, and DWC/AMS, significantly strengthening the its freighter footprint in Asia.

By enhancing connectivity and expanding its reach, AFKLMP says it aims to serve customers better and facilitate growth in these critical markets.

As part of its network strategy, AFKLMP says some of its current routes in Latin America will be suspended but it will continue to operate freighter services to Bogotá (BOG) three times a week via Miami (MIA).

Adriaan den Heijer, executive vice president of cargo at Air France-KLM and managing director of Martinair, said: “In the East Asian market, the e-commerce segment is growing steadily, driving increased demand for efficient and reliable air freight solutions.

“The introduction of this new Boeing 747 freighter service is a crucial step in adding main deck capacity to our extensive belly network.

“This expansion not only strengthens our freighter footprint in Asia but also offers more options and greater flexibility to our customers.

“By enhancing our connectivity and broadening our reach, we are better positioned to support the growth and evolving needs of our global customer base.”

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