Cathay Pacific announces flights to Kolkata, India

It's a pioneering development.

Cathay Pacific Airways recently announced a further expansion of its freighter network with the launch of a new service to Kolkata, India, commencing 11 March 2015.

According to a release from Cathay Pacific, it will become the only carrier providing direct freighter services between Kolkata and Hong Kong.

The release said the scheduled service will operate twice a week on a Hong Kong-New Delhi-Kolkata- Hong Kong routing.

Further, the release said the development will strengthen the airline’s airfreight presence within the subcontinent, offering customers greater choice and flexibility when moving goods between South Asia and other parts of the world.

Here's more from Cathay Pacific:

Cathay Pacific’s Director Cargo James Woodrow said: “India is a very important market for Cathay Pacific and we are delighted to build on our existing network of five freighter destinations in the country.

The new Kolkata service will boost the flow of garments and food products to and from India, taking advantage of our world-class facilities in Hong Kong to connect to our comprehensive global cargo network.”

Cathay Pacific currently operates cargo services to 46 freighter destinations around the world, including Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai in India.

It also carries freight in the bellies of its 140-plus passenger aircraft that serve a growing global network.