China-to-Pittsburgh air cargo route in works

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China-to-Pittsburgh air cargo route in works
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato announced this afternoon an agreement between Allegheny County, private sector entities and Chinese authorities to establish an air cargo route between Pittsburgh International Airport and China's Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.

Flanked by Mike Langley, Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and Glenn Mahone, chairman of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, Mr. Onorato said the county and Chinese officials last week signed a letter of intent that will be seen as the first step in building an "Air Silk Road" between China and Southwestern Pennsylvania.

"Air cargo is an investment area we should look at for future development. Direct cargo flights from Pittsburgh to China is the kind of expansion we need," Mr. Onorato said.

Mr. Onorato, who led a trade mission to China, said he discovered how much interaction already exists between Pittsburgh companies and Chinese companies and how that relationship will foster the air cargo business.

"China officials recognize Pittsburgh International Airport's capacity to handle all types of aircraft, our accessibility by air, rail, land and water, and the availability of cargo facilities," said Mr. Mahone, who led the delegation to sign the deal in China.

The next step, Mr. Onorato said, will be a visit by representatives of Xi'an Xianyang to Pittsburgh International to begin discussions on implementing the plan. He will also empanel a task force that will focus on cargo development with China.

But Mr. Onorato also said no timeline has been established for when flights could begin and no estimate of how much it will cost the county.

Mr. Langley said today's announcement shows "that economic trends, such as a growing number of exports, and opportunities for investment are converging to make our region a potential global center for air cargo services."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07319/834211-100.stm

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