Lithuanian-based international parcel delivery company Venipak Group has launched its own direct freighter flight between Hong Kong and Riga and says it aims to add services to Mainland China and the US, as well as adding a route between Hong Kong and the US West Coast.
With Covid restrictions severely affecting passenger flights and shipping backlogs forcing businesses to shift from ocean to airfreight, Venipak chief executive Justas Sabliskas says “existing options at the moment just do not work. Many businesses suffer from irregular and disrupted delivery times, and direct long-distance shipping flights are a rarity for the region. All of this adds to the heightened strain.”
The new route is operated by a Boeing 737-800 BCF aircraft which can carry a wider variety of cargo than passenger aircraft including dangerous goods and heavy or non-standard dimensional cargo. Regular weekly schedules and fixed prices during the high season allow easier planning of budgets. Venipak says the flight was completely sold out in two days.
Riga International Airport board member Artūrs Saveļjevs added: “We are pleased that Venipak has chosen Riga International Airport as its home for air cargo services, and we can also mark Hong Kong on our direct cargo flight destination map. This confirms that the ongoing work to develop and strengthen the Airport’s cargo segment is a step in the right direction and that our customers appreciate the potential of Riga Airport as a Baltic air hub.”