Air Incheon plans freight terminal in Khabarovsk
KHABAROVSK. July 9 (Interfax) - South Korean airline Air Incheon plans to build a freight terminal in Khabarovsk, the Khabarovsk government said in a press release, citing the airline's president, YK Park.
The Khabarovsk Economic Development and Foreign Relations Ministry met with Air Incheon Tuesday.
Park said Air Incheon is looking into making a cargo hub in Khabarovsk for further transportation of cargo around the Far East.
"We are currently looking at the potential of the import-export market in Khabarovsk and are looking for goods that might interest the South Korean customer. The company may deliver cargo from Khabarovsk to other destinations in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Korea," the release cited Park as saying.
Air Incheon began scheduled cargo flights from Seoul to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk using a Boeing-737-400SF in March. Mostly equipment for oil and gas companies is transported.
Khabarovsk Airport currently serves civil cargo flights to Khabarovsk and Incheon International Airport Corporation, which operates the largest airport in South Korea Incheon, owns a 10% stake in Khabarovsk Airport.
Incheon International Airport Corporation will, in compliance with the share agreement, take part in the development of Khabarovsk Airport.
Earlier the airport said there could be investment in airport development of $300 million to $350 million by 2030, of which $120 million-$150 million would be spent on a new passenger terminal and $40 million - $50 million on a cargo terminal.
Khabarovsk Airport boosted passenger turnover 18% in 2012 to 1.88 million passengers. Cargo turnover grew over 17% to 26,896.45 tonnes.
Air Incheon is based at Incheon Airport and specializes in flights to Russia's Far East, Japan, China and Mongolia. It obtained its first Boeing-737-400SF on February 10 2013 and the Korean Transport Ministry awarded it an operator certificate on February 26.