Atlas Air has placed three Boeing 747-400 freighters with Hong Kong Air Cargo Carrier under an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) deal.

The first aircraft will enter service with the Hong Kong Airlines subsidiary in September, serving routes between Asia and the US. The other two will begin operations next year.

“We are delighted that Hong Kong Air Cargo has chosen Atlas Air as its ACMI provider as it continues to build its global freighter network,” said William J Flynn, President and CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide. “This is a further testament to our strong focus on serving customers in the fast-growing Asia Pacific market.”

Guo Song Zhong, Chairman and CEO of Hong Kong Air Cargo, added: “After strengthening our regional network in recent years, it is now time to expand our Trans-Pacific network and look into other markets such as Europe, Australia, Africa and Latin America.”