Cargo operations at Pittsburgh International Airport will get another boost with the return of twice weekly flights from Cathay Pacific Airways. Cathay Pacific starts service on Aug. 2, 2021, with its Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes that have been converted for cargo, with plans to serve PIT through the end of the year. Planes will arrive on Mondays and Fridays and depart the next day. Cargo onboard the aircraft is for the garment industry.

The aircraft will start their flights from Hanoi, Vietnam, stopping at Cathay Pacific’s Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport before flying nonstop to PIT. PIT’s ability to quickly unload cargo and get it on trucks for delivery is one of the reasons Cathay Pacific and freight forwarder partner Unique Logistics chose to return for their latest cargo venture.

“Pittsburgh International Airport’s geographic location, community support, and operational efficiencies provide the ideal environment for us to operate service from Vietnam with Cathay Pacific to the Pittsburgh area,” said Marc Schlossberg, Executive Vice President of Unique Logistics. “Unique Logistics is contracted to operate around 120 such flights with several airlines from Asia into PIT and other airports in the United States for the remainder of 2021, adding valuable air cargo capacity for US importers.”

“Additional flights could be added to PIT as the operation scales up,” added Schlossberg.

“Cathay Pacific is excited to resume its partnership with Pittsburgh International Airport and Unique Logistics as we bring back regular cargo service from Hong Kong to Pittsburgh,” said Fred Ruggiero, Vice President Cargo, Americas, Cathay Pacific Airways. “As we combine our ability to convert Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes for cargo use with the continued demand in this critical North American market, we further underscore Cathay Pacific’s commitment to our freight partners.”

Cargo at PIT is growing and includes a diverse roster of air cargo carriers, with Unique Logistics as a key partner.

“Unique Logistics and Cathay Pacific are great partners, and we are looking forward to expanding this partnership into the future,” said Bryan Dietz, Senior Vice President of Air Service and Commercial Development at PIT. “This is another step in continuing to build Pittsburgh International Airport into a global logistics center with world-class service. Our speed, efficiency and ideal location offer a unique benefit for carriers and freight forwarders looking to serve the North America market.”

In an effort to introduce additional cargo capacity where possible and help support global supply chains, Cathay Pacific reconfigured Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to keep up with growing shipping demands. The passenger aircraft originally seated 275 passengers but was cleared of its seats to be predominantly used for long-haul cargo shipments in 2020.