Singapore Airlines to ship 300 tons of cherries to Asia
The first two 747 "cherry flights" each carrying up to 95 tonnes of fruit flew out of Christchurch on Thursday and Friday. Following these flights another two will carry the remainder of the shipment.
An airline spokesman said in total the airline will carry 300 tons of cherries to Asian for Chinese New Year customers. Christchurch airport's chief commercial officer aeronautical Justin Watson said that as well as bringing many Asia visitors to New Zealand, Chinese New Year also had a significant impact on freight volumes.
"It's a time of celebration and consumption, like Christmas is here, with big Chinese New Year dinners.
"So what we're now seeing with this additional freight capacity, South Island products are increasingly able to participate in that market.
Central Otago cherry growers hope for no rain before Chinese New Year on January 28 as they plan to export about $50 million worth of cherries.
source: stuff.co.nz
