Growth Continues in 2015 with Weekly Korean Air Cargo Flights

Halifax, N.S. – Halifax Stanfield International Airport posted a record-setting year for air cargo in 2014, with over 32,000 metric tonnes shipped, up 8.5 per cent over 2013.

A big part of Halifax Stanfield’s cargo activity is fresh lobster and seafood exports, and demand is growing. In the last five years, Canadian live lobster exports to Asia have grown 428 per cent. In addition, the Chinese market remains a focal point, as lobster and other seafood exports continue to have double digit growth in demand. Several carriers transport seafood from Halifax Stanfield including: Air Canada, CargoJet, FedEx, UPS, Purolator and Korean Air Cargo.

In the summer of 2014, Korean Air Cargo transported Nova Scotia seafood to Seoul, South Korea. During the holiday season, Korean Air Cargo returned with weekly flights to South Korea. Each flight carried approximately 40-50 tonnes of lobster with the largest shipment being 100 tonnes.

Korean Air Cargo has responded to this demand, operating a weekly flight from Halifax to Seoul since January of this year, a schedule they plan to continue as demand dictates.

“We are pleased Korean Air Cargo has continued with weekly shipments of Nova Scotia seafood,” says Jerry Staples, Halifax International Airport Authority Vice President Air Service Marketing & Development . “With our extended main runway, a highly sought after export product and a new free trade agreement with South Korea, Halifax Stanfield is well-positioned for continued growth.”

Two trade agreements have positive potential for lobster and live seafood exports. The first is a pending agreement for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. The second agreement is a new Canada-South Korea free trade agreement. Both agreements see tariffs disappear, making this product even more attractive in the EU and Asia.