Imagine a shipment of urgently needed electronic components departing from Beijing Capital Airport aboard a Korean Air cargo plane, crossing oceans to reach a factory in Atlanta, Georgia, ensuring smooth production line operations. Behind this efficient delivery lies a robust air cargo network and clear operational guidelines. This article focuses on Korean Air's (KE) cargo services originating from Beijing (PEK), detailing the route network, flight schedules, and key operational considerations to ensure safe and efficient delivery of goods.
Korean Air: A Global Air Bridge
Korean Air (IATA code: KE, ICAO code: KAL), South Korea's largest airline and one of Asia's leading carriers, operates from its Seoul headquarters with dual hubs at Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP). As a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, Korean Air collaborates closely with partner airlines to offer customers extensive destination options and seamless transfer services.
The SkyTeam alliance's founding members include:
- Aeroméxico (AM): Mexico
- Air France (AF): France
- Delta Air Lines (DL): United States
- Korean Air (KE): South Korea
Notably, Asiana Airlines (IATA code: OZ), another major South Korean carrier, has earned recognition for its exceptional service quality, having been awarded a 5-star rating by SKYTRAX.
Korean Air's Cargo Network from Beijing
From Beijing (PEK), Korean Air's cargo network spans North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The airline has categorized destinations for easier customer reference and operations:
North American Destinations (AME Groups)
- AME I: Chicago (CHI), Seattle (SEA), New York (JFK), Atlanta (ATL), San Francisco (SFO), Vancouver (YVR), Anchorage (ANC)
- AME II: Houston (HOU), Las Vegas (LAS), Washington (WAS)
- AME III: Campinas, Brazil (VCP); Lima, Peru (LIM); Santiago, Chile (SCL)
European Destinations (EUR Groups)
- EUR1: Amsterdam (AMS), London (LON), Paris (PAR), Basel (BSL), Milan (MIL), Rome (ROM), Brussels (BRU)
- EUR2: Oslo (OSL), Stockholm (STO), Copenhagen (CPH), Navoi (NVI), Tashkent (TAS), Istanbul (IST), Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), Vienna (VIE)
Asian and Other Regional Destinations
- SEA Groups: Covering destinations like Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Singapore (SIN), Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
- JPN Groups: Serving Japanese cities including Tokyo (TYO), Osaka (OSA), Fukuoka (FUK)
- S/AME: Latin American destinations such as Mexico City (MEX), São Paulo (GRU), Buenos Aires (BUE)
Express Cargo Destinations
Korean Air offers specialized express cargo services to key global cities including Los Angeles (LAX), Frankfurt (FRA), Delhi (DEL), Sydney (SYD), and Moscow (MOW).
Korean Air Direct Flight Schedule from Beijing
The following table shows selected Korean Air direct flight schedules from Beijing (PEK). Flight frequencies may change, so verification is recommended prior to booking.
| Flight Number | Destination | Frequency | ETD | ETA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KE2852 | Gimpo (GMP) | Daily | 11:50 | 14:55 |
| KE854 | Incheon (ICN) | Daily | 21:40 | 00:30 |
| KE830 | Busan (PUS) | Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | 10:50 | 14:10 |
| KE856 | Incheon (ICN) | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | 11:55 | 15:25 |
Operational Considerations for PEK Departures
When handling Korean Air cargo shipments from Beijing, note these key operational requirements:
- Security Surcharge: CNY1.20 per kilogram (based on chargeable weight)
-
Fuel Surcharge:
Varies by region with minimum charges:
- Americas: CNY8.00/kg
- Europe/Australia: CNY5.50/kg
- Korea/Japan/Southeast Asia/Mongolia/India: CNY2.50/kg
- Buenos Aires (BUE/EZE) Shipments: Require complete consignee details including full name, address, and IRS Tax ID Number
- Pricing: Applies to general cargo only
- Restrictions: Liquid cargo is not accepted
- Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Fee: CNY900 per shipment
Note that airline policies and requirements may change. For current regulations and fee structures, consult directly with Korean Air or authorized cargo agents.