【時報訊】與聖路易林白機場競爭設立中國空港，位於伊利諾州，距聖路易市以東45哩之聖克雷爾郡(St. Clair County)美中聖路易機場(MidAmerica St. Louis Airport)在今年8月26日首架中國貨運航班試飛落地成功後，第二架貨運航班於11月10日晚間，再次自中國上海飛抵美中機場。據機場相關人士表示，這次的貨機比第一次之麥道八型貨機要大很多，是747-200型大型貨機，由中國同一家貨運公司負責航班。
這次是測試美中機場因應大型747貨機之操作能力，第二次試飛結果十分成功。
負責此次航班，在美國普度大學取得博士學位之北京貨運交通公司總裁郭百喬博士表示，美中機場是美中地區最佳之貨運集散中心，尤其是航運貨運，該公司與美中機場合作很久，計劃將來繼續擴充航運量。
美中機場所在地聖克雷爾郡主席Mark Kern指出，中國貨機第二次降落美中機場，表示美中機場安全可靠、有效率，而且費用不貴，適合國際航班貨運。
747貨機可載重100公噸，是最大貨運飛機。由中國上海起飛，中途停靠阿拉斯加州安克拉治一次，在美中機場降落下貨，完成各項測試後轉飛德拉亞州，在美中機場並沒有上貨回航。
據暸解，上海747貨機降落美中機場後，所有地面運輸、通關、上下貨交通及飛機補給操作等在三小時之內完成，顯示美中機場之高效率。
美中機場自2004年起開始注重國際航空貨運，2005年完成貨機停機口，整座佔地3600公頃之機場，並成為第31區外貿區之一部份。2006年成為美國第4581號入關口。首次由南非飛來國際貨機，2008年美中機場完成冷凍倉儲設備，接受拉丁美洲運來之鮮花、農產品及草藥、醫藥用品等。
隨著北京有意繼續飛來中國貨機，美中機場開始計劃擴建第二倉庫庫房，以接受來自亞洲、拉丁美州及歐洲各貿易貨運航線，處理更多航空貨運貨品。
CHINESE LAND 2ND SUCCESSFUL CARGO TEST FLIGHT AT MIDAMERICA
MASCOUTAH, ILL., Nov. 11, 2010 - Building on the recent success of its first test flight from China, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport last night welcomed a second and significantly larger Chinese cargo flight, adding to the growing evidence that its new trade route is a viable one. Beijing Expedient Services and Transportation LTD, the same company that handled the August 26th test run of cargo from Shanghai to MidAmerica Airport, also chartered this latest flight. While the original test run was with an MD 11 aircraft, yesterday's test flight was a chartered 747-200 operated by Southern Air Transport. The second test flight was conducted to ensure that all of the necessary coordination and operations are in place at MidAmerica Airport to handle the larger 747.
Dr. Bai Qiao Liao, President of Beijing Expedient Services, and a graduate of Purdue University where he earned his PhD, remarked on his company's experiences with MidAmerica. "MidAmerica Airport represents the best in central USA distribution opportunity. It is focused on cargo, is extremely easy to work with, and my company has a long relationship with them. We plan to expand our use of MidAmerica in the future."
Mark Kern, Chairman of St. Clair County, welcomed both the flight and the vote of confidence from Dr. Liao. "Repeat customers means we're doing things the way the market wants to see them happen: safe, secure, efficient and very affordable operations for international cargo. The word is getting out about MidAmerica and we're ready for more to come," stated Kern.
The 747, which is capable of carrying 100 metric tons of cargo, was almost at capacity for the flight, carrying general cargo destined for many different companies in the United States. En route from Shanghai, the aircraft made a servicing stop in Anchorage, Alaska, as most aircraft from Asia do. After landing at MidAmerica, all ground handling, customs, transloading and aircraft servicing operations were efficiently handled within three hours. Upon the successful conclusion of all elements of the test run, the 747 repositioned to Dover, Del., for another charter flight and did not take on any upload of cargo.
The new trade route is six years in the making, starting back in 2004 when MidAmerica Airport and St. Clair County officials began working to lay the necessary foundation to attract international cargo. In 2005, the airport completed the cargo terminal, and 3,600 acres of the airport became part of the Foreign Trade Zone 31. MidAmerica Airport was named a U.S. Port of Entry (# 4581) in 2006 and received its first international shipment from South America. Two years later, the airport completed refrigeration capability and began welcoming regular flights from Latin America carrying fresh flowers, produce and herbs, along with pharmaceuticals and other perishable air freight. With Boeing set to begin utilizing the existing cargo terminal, plans are currently in the works for a second warehouse to host the perishable capability as well as additional general cargo in order to continue to facilitate existing and future international cargo operations.
St. Clair County and the airport are working on expanded Asia, Latin America and European trade routes. Future announcements are anticipated. To learn more about MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, visit www.flymidamerica.com. |
