The new year started out with a new handling contract for Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl). The cargo handler was the winner of the handling tender for Hungary’s newest cargo airline: Hungary Airlines (see CFG’s article on the occasion of its AOC award in JAN25:
https://cargoforwarder.eu/2025/01/12/newcomer-hungary-airlines-receives-aoc/ ).
Hungary Airlines began thrice-weekly operations between its Budapest (BUD) base and Hong Kong (HKG) on 05FEB25. It operates an A330-200F on the route, offering a 62-ton upload on every flight. The contract signed with Hactl is a ‘one-stop-shop service’ for its Hong Kong flights, according to the press release issued last week. It covers cargo terminal operations, aircraft loading and unloading, and documentation.
“Budapest is a growing e-commerce hub for Eastern Europe. Hungary Airlines is strategically placed to capitalize on the airport’s potential, using its new Hong Kong flights as a link between Greater China and the EU. As more aircraft are added to the Hungary Airlines fleet, the carrier plans to add services to the USA and Middle East markets,” the release explains.
Hactl’s CEO, Wilson Kwong, commented: “We welcome Hungary Airlines to the Hactl carrier family; their new services further enhance Hactl’s global connectivity. We look forward to supporting their establishment and growth as an e-commerce specialist, which ties in well with our own focus on this important business area.” One fun fact, given that the airline’s ICAO code is HUA and there is some consternation over the fact that it appears to be more Chinese than European owned: HUA in Mandarin actually means ‘China/Chinese’. (It can also mean prosperous or magnificent, among other things, depending on its inflection.)
