LA-Yantai-Seoul cargo line receives operational approval

THE Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has given the green light to Korea`s Asiana Airlines to launch Seoul-Los Angeles-Yantai-Seoul scheduled cargo service using Boeing 747 freighters, Xinhua reported.
The move means Asiana has been granted the fifth air freedom to fly to Yantai, a city in eastern China`s Shandong province. Yantai becomes the eighth city in China to be open to the fifth air freedom.
The fifth air freedom of a city allows the authorised carriers to discharge cargo or passengers at this city from a third country other than the carrier`s own country and the city`s country, as well as to load cargo or passengers at the city and head for a third country.
There are 10 carriers authorised to operate business under the fifth freedom in China, mainly in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing. In 2004, the CAAC approved Xiamen, Haikou and Sanya to open the fifth freedom. Tianjin and Wuhan are also striving for approval to open this air freedom.
The opening of the fifth freedom in Yantai means foreign carriers can offer transit service in the city, which will boost development of the city`s international air traffic. The report said a number of carriers, including some of the industry leaders, have expressed interest in launching cargo service from Yantai to Europe or the US.
During recent years, Yantai`s trade with the US and Europe is growing at an annual rate of over 40 per cent, but the lack of direct flight service has forced cargo to be transshipped in Korea or Japan.
Mainland-based cargo carrier Yangtze River Express started a Seoul-Yantai-Qingdao cargo service in February. The direct service from Yantai to Chicago is estimated to commence operation later in July.