Skyway Airlines, a newly launched carrier from the Philippines, has appointed Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) as its handling agent for its freighter services to Hong Kong, marking a significant step in the airline’s operations. As Hong Kong’s largest independent air cargo handler, Hactl will provide Skyway with a comprehensive one-stop-shop service, covering terminal handling, ramp handling, and documentation.
The new service, which began operations on March 20, connects the Philippines with Hong Kong, the airline’s first international destination. Skyway will operate six weekly freighter flights, using its 18-tonne capacity B737-400 aircraft. Three flights will depart from Clark International Airport, and three from Manila, targeting the fast-growing e-commerce sector, which has boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, has long faced logistical challenges in air cargo transport, with most domestic shipments traditionally moved in the belly holds of passenger aircraft. However, the rise of e-commerce has created a growing demand for dedicated air cargo capacity. Skyway aims to meet this need by offering specialized services connecting the Philippines with one of the world’s busiest airports, Hong Kong International Airport.
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Jose Angelo Peralta, President & CEO of Skyway Airlines, shared his enthusiasm for the new international route: “It has been a big leap for Skyway to fly internationally to Hong Kong after acquiring our Air Operator Certificate. We are very pleased to have the one-stop service support from Hactl for our freighter operation into Hong Kong International Airport, which greatly reduced our challenges in the service launch. We hope to contribute to the trade development between Hong Kong and the Philippines.”
Joanna Li, Executive Director – Commercial and Business Development at Hactl, added: “Skyway Airlines is an interesting new venture that fills a very real need for the Philippines. We welcome this latest addition to our carrier family, which further extends our global connections. We wish Skyway Airlines every success with this first international service, and we greatly look forward to supporting the airline in growing its business.”
This partnership between Skyway Airlines and Hactl signifies a strategic move to support the expanding e-commerce sector in the Philippines and strengthen global trade links, particularly between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
