Frankfurt-Hahn, CASIL sign agreement to establish European hub

Today, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) reported its new air-freight agreement with China Aerospace and Technology Corporation’s subsidiary, China Aerospace International Holdings Limited (CASIL).

In the agreement, CASIL will operate several new flights to HHN and will establish the airport as its European hub. The new route is also the latest element of China’s sprawling initiative, as Chinese companies pursue developing air cargo gateways connecting China and Europe.

The first flight to HHN from Shanghai took place earlier this month and was operated with a 747-400 by Suparna Airlines. Fixed schedules have yet to be determined, but more flights will be added as well, operated with various cargo airlines to different destinations in China, including Zhengzhou (CGO) and Hong Kong (HKG).

Chinese conglomerate HNA Airport Group GmbH also decided to build HHN as a European hub, for its subsidiary Suparna Airlines (previously Yangtze River Airlines), following the company’s acquisition of a majority stake in the airport earlier last year, as reported by our sister site, Cargo Facts.

While the ultimate influence this agreement has on trade flows remains to be seen, steps leading to the agreement already show a demonstrable effect on HHN, as the airport reported it had an increase in freight by 58.4 percent compared to the same period last year.