OREANDA-NEWS. After the certification of Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport for Boeing 747-8 operations, Cargolux operated the first flight with its new, advanced freighter on 27 July 2013. Cargolux flight 7325 from Luxembourg touched down on 28 July at 03:30 local time.

Since March, Cargolux operated the first-ever Boeing 747-8 freighter revenue flight to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, making this destination the 100th 747-8 certified airport worldwide. At the same time, Cargolux has increased its air cargo services to Hanoi to three weekly rotations.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest commercial city in Vietnam with a fast-growing fashion manufacturing industry. With its weekly Ho Chi Minh City flight upgraded to Boeing 747-8 freighter services, all Cargolux destinations in Asia and the Pacific area are now certified for the airline’s larger, more efficient freighter type.

 ‘A lot of production is moving to Vietnam and the country shows great determination in boosting its trade by approving its airports for 747-8 operations,’ says Richard Forson, Cargolux Interim President and CEO. ‘We are happy to now be able to offer advanced 747-8 freighter services to all Cargolux destinations in Vietnam, a market that is of significant commercial importance to us.’