As part of a trade mission to Europe led by the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, Halifax International Airport Authority officials were pleased to join representatives of Cargojet Airways in Germany yesterday to recognize the important role the air cargo airline and the airport of Cologne Bonn play in facilitating exports from the Atlantic region to Europe and beyond.

Joyce Carter, President & CEO, and Bert van der Stege, Vice President Business Development and Chief Commercial Officer, both of HIAA, and Richard Cromwell, Manager Nova Scotia for Cargojet Airways, joined Premier McNeil during his visit to Cologne Bonn Airport where they were welcomed by CEO Johan Vanneste.

With the objective of increasing export volumes by air through the existing partnership with Cargojet and Cologne Bonn Airport, the delegation also visited the UPS cargo facility, Cargojet’s express freight partner operating connecting flights from its European hub at Cologne Bonn Airport. Through this partnership, as well as the extensive road and rail network at Cologne Bonn Airport, Nova Scotia exports have easy access to various points across Europe.

Cargojet has been a dedicated air cargo airline at Halifax Stanfield since 2002. As Canada’s Cargo Airline, Cargojet provides regular daily service from Halifax to its base in Hamilton, Ontario, connecting to its international network. Cargojet began weekly service from Halifax to Cologne, Germany in 2012, which continues today. Its weekly international flight to Cologne Bonn Airport moves exports, including Nova Scotia’s world-famous lobster as well as specialized electronics and machinery, to Europe and international points beyond.

“Cargojet is excited to serve this market as the Canadian leader in transporting seafood and other specialty cargo between Canada and other major city centres globally. We are proud partners with the Cologne Bonn Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the Province of Nova Scotia,” said Gord Johnston, Vice President of Sales for Cargojet Airways. “In 2017, Cargojet reported yet another year of increased tonnage from Halifax Stanfield, with an increase of 24.1 per cent versus 2016, with most of the growth coming from the live lobster and high value seafood market. Connecting through Cologne Bonn Airport each week, Cargojet offers consistent service to locations such as Brussels, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Stockholm, Dubai and Shenzhen along with several other European, Asian, Middle Eastern, African and South American destinations. We take pride in connecting Halifax Stanfield Cargo to nearly the entire globe in under 48 hours travel time.”

“Canada is an important trading partner and Cargojet Airways is an important customer for us. We have very close relationships with Nova Scotia and we want to continue to deepen our partnership in the future. Cologne Bonn is indispensable as a major air cargo hub for overseas trade and companies in the region,” says Johan Vanneste, President and CEO of Cologne Bonn Airport.

“We’re extremely pleased with Cargojet’s strong, reliable service from Halifax Stanfield, and are encouraged that they see the continued potential in our market,” says Joyce Carter. “Demand for seafood has only increased as a result of CETA, which presents a tremendous opportunity for seafood exporters from the Atlantic Region. We’re committed to exploring additional opportunities with Cargojet and other cargo carriers to increase trade and support the provincial government’s goal of increasing the value of exports by 50 per cent by 2024.”

“Nova Scotia companies are producing world-class products and they need reliable, efficient ways of getting those products to market,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “The implementation of CETA is an important opportunity to grow our exports in sectors from seafood to specialized electronics, and I’m pleased to see Halifax International Airport Authority is looking at options to add capacity with Cargojet and other cargo carriers. Increasing our exports will mean more jobs for Nova Scotians and a stronger economy.”

In 2017, 34,051 tonnes of cargo were processed at Halifax Stanfield, an increase of 2.2 per cent over the record set the previous year. This was the fourth consecutive year of cargo volume growth at the region’s air gateway. The Canadian dollar value of cargo exports was close to $446 million, up 10.2 per cent over the previous year, an increase of $41 million. High-demand, high-value seafood products, including Nova Scotia lobster, accounted for approximately half of the value of all exports shipped, valued at $220 million and equating to 10,234 tonnes.