DRAGONAIR’S SECOND PURCHASED FREIGHTER ENTERS SERVICE

DRAGONAIR’S SECOND PURCHASED FREIGHTER ENTERS SERVICE    Dragonair said its second recently purchased Boeing 747-300 has been converted from combi to freighter and has entered service.
   The Hong Kong-based airline purchased the two planes at the end of last year. The first converted freighter entered service in September. The purchases are part of the company's plan to double its cargo fleet by the end of 2005.
   Dragonair is using the two new planes to increase services to five times a week to Amsterdam, Manchester and Dubai, up from three times a week. A wet-leased Boeing 747 is scheduled to be returned to Atlas Air in late December.
   “Our new freighter is coming into service just as seasonal demand is picking up again, and at a time when we see good prospects for growth,” said Stanley Hui, chief executive officer of Dragonair.