IAG Cargo has started its new Madrid to Shanghai service through Iberia – making it one of the only carriers to directly connect the two cities.
IAG has also announced that the winter 2016 schedule will offer 10 flights per week from Heathrow Airport to Shanghai Pudong International Airport on British Airways services; an increase of three flights per week compared to the 2015 winter schedule.
These will be serviced by Boeing 777 aircraft, with the next generation B787-9 Dreamliner set to be introduced in winter 2017.
With the new route from Madrid and the additional weekly services out of London, businesses trading in the region will benefit from a 65 per cent increase in capacity per week as of winter 2016, compared to winter 2015.
The additional flights will operate during a season of peak supply and demand, when Christmas, New Year celebrations and other festivities take place globally, IAG Cargo says additional flights will benefit customers by providing them with more shipping options for the duration of this busy period.
IAG Cargo head of commercial, David Shepherd says the new direct route from Madrid to Shanghai will provide customers with better connections between East Asia and Latin America.
He adds: “With high technology goods, pharmaceuticals and automobile parts driving both imports and exports and our additional services and larger, more cargo-friendly aircraft, we are able to offer forwarders greater flexibility and efficiency over where and when they ship their goods.
“With the noted general global growth in e-commerce transactions, this additional Asia Pacific capacity and frequency will allow forwarders to respond swiftly to any sudden increases in demand. This will be of particular benefit when we head into peak season.”
