Just when it looked like Halifax Stanfield was set to close the books on a highly successful lobster export season, the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) announced that a new cargo carrier, Yangtze River Express Airlines, will serve the airport. Flights began on Saturday, January 7, 2017.

A Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft departed Halifax Stanfield at 6:50 PM that day, the first of five additional cargo flights operating on a charter basis between Canada and China in the month of January.

“We are excited to welcome Yangtze River Express to Halifax Stanfield, in time for them to export fresh Nova Scotia lobster for the upcoming busy Chinese festive season,” said Bert van der Stege, HIAA vice president for business development and chief commercial officer. “Our investment in a new 17,000 square meter cargo pad is providing us with additional capacity, making Halifax Stanfield an even more attractive airport for cargo exports.”

Over $15 million dollars worth of Nova Scotia seafood has already been shipped overseas this holiday season, a number that will increase to around $25 million dollars by the end of January 2017 when Chinese New Year is being celebrated.

“Nova Scotia lobsters are in high demand in China,” said Jevey Zhang, president of Yangtze River Express Airlines. “We’re happy to provide additional capacity between Halifax and China, ensuring fresh lobsters arrive here in the shortest possible time.”

During December, lobster has been sent to all parts of the world through the connections provided by Halifax Stanfield. Several carriers are transporting seafood this season including Air Canada, CargoJet, Korean Air Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, CAL Cargo Airlines, and FedEx.