Southern Air is to become the sixth airline at Miami International Airport to operate cargo flights to Asia with the launch of weekly services to Hong Kong.

The wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air will operate Boeing 777 Freighter services from Miami to Hong Kong via Anchorage from 1 April.

The other airlines operating cargo flights from Miami to Asia are Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and Polar Air all flying to Seoul, Cathay Pacific flies to Hong Kong and China Airlines goes to Taipei.

Returning from a week long business development mission in China and Japan, Miami-Dade Aviation director, Lester Sola commented: “We are thrilled to add Southern Air to our growing route network in Asia. As the busiest U.S. airport for international freight, it is especially gratifying to welcome additional cargo service from Hong Kong, the world’s busiest freight airport.”

Hong Kong is Miami airport’s fourth largest trade market in Asia, responsible for more than $500 million in freight annually.

In 2017, Miami’s trade with Asia was valued at $7.8 billion, a 16 per cent increase from $6.7 billion in 2016.