"Logan Announces Direct Service to China"

Thursday, March 8, 2007

DIRECT AIR SERVICE TO CHINA ARRIVES AT BOSTON LOGAN
Press Release


Boston, MA -- Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas
M. Menino joined Chairman of the Board for the Hainan Group, Chen Feng and
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials to commemorate the
inaugural air cargo flight of Yangtze River Express to Shanghai, China. The
new service marks the first direct air service between New England and China
and provides new opportunities to promote the export of Massachusetts'
products to the booming Chinese markets. 

"China is one of our most important export markets, and in the past five
years alone, Massachusetts exports to China have increased over two hundred
percent," said Governor Patrick. "We have seen a tremendous interest in
China among Massachusetts firms and expect that the Yangtze River Express
direct air cargo service will open doors for even 
more local exporters to access the emerging Chinese market." 

Yangtze River Express will offer direct air cargo service from Boston to
Shanghai three times a week with Boeing 747 aircraft. Yangtze River Express,
a subsidiary of the Hainan Group and Hainan Airlines, is one of the largest,
fastest growing air cargo carriers in China. 

Direct Boston-China air service has long been a business development goal
for Massport supported by the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and
state and local economic development agencies. 

"Partnerships like this mean more trade, more tourism, more jobs, and a
closer relationship between these two cities and their respective
populations. This is one way Boston can build its economy going forward - by
embracing the changes of globalization and meeting them head-on," Mayor
Menino said. "I want to thank Governor Patrick, Thomas Kinton of 
Massport, and everyone at Hainan Airlines for their partnership. Let's keep
working together to make Boston a more vibrant, competitive city."

Prior to the start of the Yangtze River Express service, 70 percent of New
England's air exports to China were sent through New York, adding delays and
increasing shipping costs for local companies. With direct cargo service
from Boston, the volume of New England air shipments to China is projected
to grow by 50 percent. 

China is currently the sixth largest destination for Massachusetts products
with export values growing an average of 20 percent per year since 1998.
Massachusetts' leading exports to China include electrical machinery and
audio video equipment, industrial machinery and computers, and optic, photo
and medical instruments. The success of the 
industries that produce these products is key to the long-term growth of the
local economy.

"Direct service to China is something Massport has been working towards for
years as part of our mission to help support the regional economy by
connecting local companies with the global marketplace," said Massport
Executive Director and CEO Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. "We are pleased to welcome
Yangtze River Express to Boston and look forward to building on the success
of the Shanghai service."

Boston's Logan International Airport serves as the gateway to the six-state
New England region with a population of over 14 million. In 2006, Boston
Logan handled nearly 28 million passengers and carried nearly 716 million
pounds of cargo and mail. Logan enjoys direct airport access to U.S.
interstate highway system, and is minutes from downtown and the 
seaport. 
 
"For two years my HNA Group has studied many opportunities in cities across
the United States as the final choice for direct service from China", said
Chairman Chen Feng. Massachusetts came to the table with something different
-- a team approach of government and business leaders, working together,
working smart and working strong to make this 
partnership a success. Massport and the many government and business leaders
showed our group a view not of the present, but a vision of the future." 
 
Boston Logan International Airport is the world's 35th most active airport,
and offers nonstop service to 79 destinations and 35 international
destinations. Boston Logan is served by 60 air carriers, including 19
foreign flag carriers and 8 air cargo carriers. Over 100 freight forwarders
and brokers with a 300-year tradition of trade and commerce use Logan every 
day.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) operates Boston Logan
International Airport, the Port of Boston, Tobin Memorial Bridge, Hanscom
Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially
self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities
generate more than $8 billion every year and enhance and enable economic
growth and vitality in New England

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