WestJet Cargo has announced the expansion of its Calgary-Seoul (Incheon International Airport) service, increasing flight frequencies to meet the growing demand for both air cargo and passenger transport between Canada and South Korea. This service enhancement highlights WestJet Cargo’s dedication to delivering reliable and efficient air cargo solutions for businesses in both regions. Starting the week of May 19, 2025, the Calgary-Seoul route will double its frequency from three to six flights per week, operating through October 13, 2025.
The route will remain serviced by WestJet’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, providing a weekly cargo capacity of around 130 tons and 480 cubic meters.
Kirsten de Bruijn, Executive Vice-President, Cargo at WestJet, stated: “Doubling our frequencies is a testament to our commitment to strengthening connections between Canada and South Korea. We’re proud to enhance flexibility and capacity, supporting businesses in navigating a dynamic global trade environment.”
Julius Mooney, Commercial Director, Cargo at WestJet, added: “This expansion is driven by market demand and designed to provide our partners with greater opportunities for seamless imports and exports. It’s about offering solutions that empower businesses across both regions.”
Also Read: AGI Partners with Atlantis/ACI for North American Cargo Solutions.
This milestone coincides with the first anniversary of the Canada-South Korea connection, which launched on May 17, 2024. Over the past year, this route has played a pivotal role in strengthening economic ties between Canada and South Korea while supporting increased trade and tourism opportunities.
The expanded service underscores WestJet Cargo’s dedication to supporting international trade while advancing Calgary’s position as a global hub for intercontinental travel and commerce.
Hahn Airport has been able to increase both passenger and cargo numbers in the first three months of 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, TRIWO Hahn Airport counted more than 440,000 passengers. This is over 30 percent more than in the same period last year. An increase was also recorded in the cargo business: the airport handled around 22,000 tons of air freight in the first quarter of 2025. This is around eight percent more than in the same period last year.
“The year 2025 has gotten off to a good start,” says Rüdiger Franke, Managing Director at TRIWO Hahn Airport. Regarding the passenger business, he adds: “The airlines have expanded their services at Hahn Airport. This also applies to the summer flight schedule, which has been in effect since March 30. We expect to draw 2.2 million passengers by the end of the year.”
Also Read: MASkargo Resumes Partnership with WFS in Paris
Commenting on the increase in cargo figures, Rüdiger Franke says: “This was a good start to 2025. With its 24-hour operating permit, Hahn Airport remains attractive. However, it remains to be seen how the current geopolitical uncertainties will affect the cargo business.”
Hahn Airport is actively preparing for further increases in passenger numbers. Managing Director Franke emphasizes: “We are investing in the redesign and modernization of our terminal and are centralizing the security check, for example. This will further optimize passenger processes.”
Hahn Airport is also pushing ahead with digitalization, including self-drop-off terminals. This will also further reduce check-in and waiting times for passengers.
About TRIWO Hahn Airport
From an American military airfield to an international commercial airport with 24-hour operations: since its civilian opening in 1993, Hahn Airport has developed into an important aviation location for passengers and freight. In 2024, TRIWO Hahn Airport counted 1.9 million passengers – an increase of around 12 percent compared to 2023. TRIWO AG has been the owner of the airport company TRIWO Hahn Airport GmbH since May 2023.
Air Astana Group fleet has grown to sixty aircraft following the arrival of a new Airbus A320neo in Almaty. Full-service carrier Air Astana now has a fleet of 35 aircraft, while low-cost carrier FlyArystan operates 25.
Both carriers in the Group have grown rapidly with an increasing number of the latest generation Airbus A321LR and Airbus A320neo aircraft at the forefront of Air Astana’s network expansion to destinations across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. FlyArystan continues to boost low-cost services throughout Kazakhstan and Central Asia, together with an increasing number of longer-range flights to Georgia, China and the Middle East.
Also Read: Ethiopian Airlines Expands to Porto, Portugal.
“Expanding our fleet to 60 aircraft is a significant milestone for Air Astana Group and an important step towards accomplishing our strategic plans,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group. “We will continue to invest in modern aircraft and expand our route network, offering passengers even more opportunities for convenient and affordable travel both within the region and beyond”.
The Air Astana Group fleet is destined to expand further in the next few years, with the total reaching 80 aircraft by 2028.
Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size. The Group operates a fleet of 60 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline that operated its inaugural flight in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019.
FlyArystan was one of the first LCCs in Central Asia. It provides scheduled shorthaul and medium-haul, point-to-point air travel across Kazakhstan and further into the Caucasus, Central Asia, Turkey and the Middle East.
Air Astana is Kazakhstan’s leading carrier and largest airline brand by revenue and fleet size. As a full-service airline brand, it provides scheduled and charter, point-to-point and transit, short-haul and long-haul air travel and cargo on domestic, regional and international routes.
Air Astana offers a network of predominately point-to-point routes in growing markets to tap into increasing levels of mobility in Kazakhstan and its near-home markets. Read more about the airline here.
Avianca has announced plans to launch new routes in 2025, strengthening connectivity between Florida and Latin America. The airline will introduce direct flights from Fort Lauderdale to Medellin and Managua, Miami to San José and Guatemala City, and Tampa to Bogotá.
These additions will bring Avianca’s total to 16 direct routes from Florida to Latin America, reinforcing its position as a leading carrier in the region.
“Florida has historically been a key gateway for connections to Latin America, which is why it is essential for us to contribute to reuniting families, boosting tourism, and promoting business,” said Frederico Pedreira, CEO of Avianca. “These new routes address the needs of our customers and provide an opportunity to offer more direct flights to key destinations in both regions where we already have a strong presence.”
New Routes Planned for 2025:
Tampa, a new destination for Avianca, will offer travelers direct connections to over 75 destinations across the Americas and Europe via Bogotá. “The significance of a new Avianca route between Tampa and Bogotá is enormous, being TPA’s first to South America in nearly 50 years,” said TPA CEO Joe Lopano. “We expect this flight to be popular with both business travelers and those connecting with loved ones.”
Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, added, “This new direct flight between Tampa Bay and Bogotá not only strengthens connectivity between Colombia and the United States, our primary source market for tourists, but also marks an important step in expanding our presence in Florida.”
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