Taipei, May 16, 2012 - China Airlines (CAL) launches cargo service for its Taipei-Kuala Lumpur-Chennai-Luxembourg route on May 16. It’s serviced by Boeing 747-400 freighter, offering twice-weekly service on Wednesdays and Sundays. CAL, the first airline, provides schedule service from Taiwan to Chennai as it vies for India’s burgeoning cargo market. In establishing the new route via Kuala Lumpur and Chennai, CAL also expands its cargo network across Asia and Europe by transporting goods from Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia to Europe.

The new service departs from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) at 01:20 a.m., and is expected to arrive in Luxemburg at 17:00 after stopping in Kuala Lumpur and Chennai. The return flight CI6436 will depart from Luxemburg on 19:30 and land in Taipei at 14:30 directly. The first Luxemburg-bound flight carried electronics, automotive parts and consumer goods. The return flight will carry electronics, machinery and components.

Chennai is India’s third-largest air cargo market, trailing only Mumbai and New Delhi in annual shipment volume. In terms of shipment growth, Chennai International Airport is India’s fastest-growing airport for exports and imports, predominantly comprising electronics, automotive parts, textile products and ready-made clothes and leather products. By including Chennai in its new cargo route to Luxemburg, China Airlines is the only airline to offer direct scheduling cargo service from Chennai to Luxemburg, giving it an edge in the India-Europe air cargo market while also capturing more business in Southeast Asia bound for southern India and Europe.

CAL is the seventh-largest air cargo carrier ranked by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), offering 85 weekly flights to 32 cargo destinations. To raise shipment volume and operational efficiency, CAL will continue to collaborate with international partners and enhance its electronic services. The new route of Taipei-Kuala Lumpur-Chennai- Luxembourg strengthens Taiwan’s position as an air cargo transport hub and provides customers with more convenient and high value quality of cargo services.