UPS doubles down on bid for Clark cargo flights

MANILA, Philippines — Global logistics giant United Parcel Service Co. (UPS) is doubling down on its bid to launch cargo flights to Clark, this time even signaling that it is willing to give up existing services to Poland and Vietnam just to secure a slot at the Central Luzon gateway.

In a July 31 application filed with the US Department of Transportation, UPS asked regulators to allow it to transfer six Hong Kong fifth freedom all-cargo frequencies currently assigned to the Hong Kong-Warsaw and Hong Kong-Hanoi routes for use on new Hong Kong-Clark cargo services.

READ: UPS eyes flying Hong Kong-Clark cargo by Sept.

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Specifically, the Atlanta-based company wants to reassign all four weekly frequencies it operates between Hong Kong and Warsaw and two of its three weekly frequencies serving Hanoi to the Hong Kong-Clark route.

UPS said all six frequencies are already in full use.

This latest filing comes even as UPS awaits a decision on its separate application for an entirely new allocation of six Hong Kong fifth freedom frequencies for Clark. Should additional frequencies become available and be awarded later, the company said it intends to restore the Warsaw and Hanoi services.

UPS said the transfer would allow it to immediately launch year-round cargo services between Hong Kong and Clark using Boeing 767 freighters already in its fleet.

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Fifth freedom refers to the right that allows airlines from one country to carry cargo or passengers between two foreign countries.

Currently, the Hong Kong-Clark route is served only by rival Federal Express Corp. INQ