Weekly service from both Shanghai and Hong Kong to Guadalajara underscores Atlas Air’s dependable capacity, operational excellence, and partnership strength.
In October, Atlas Air and GEODIS marked a major milestone: the 500th dedicated freighter flight on GEODIS’s Asia-to-Guadalajara (GDL) lane, a service operated continuously since 2019.
Over six years, these weekly departures from Shanghai (PVG) and Hong Kong (HKG), have delivered secured capacity and predictable transit through market volatility, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent geopolitical disruptions. The lane has helped to reduce lead times and support end-to-end reliability precisely when global shippers need it most.
Watch: GEODIS marked the milestone with a short video on the partnership, featuring takeaways on lane design, market value, and a view to what’s next. Watch Video
Atlas’ Richard Broekman, Graham Perkins and Rob Emanuel weigh in on why a balanced, customer-led model keeps this corridor competitive:
“Milestones like this are a product of rigorous planning, consistent execution, and the close partnership we have built with GEODIS,” said Richard Broekman, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Sustainability, Atlas Air Worldwide. “By maintaining steady service amid changing trade requirements and evolving market conditions, we have helped customers maintain steady, reliable service into Latin America to keep essential goods moving throughout the region.”
Guadalajara as a Growth Gateway
With Guadalajara as the gateway, the lane extends across Mexico and the broader region, supporting flexible supply chains for sectors including e-commerce, healthcare, perishables, and industrial goods. GEODIS’s robust intra-Mexico ground network further provides daily scheduled deliveries to major hubs such as Mexico City, Monterrey and beyond.
“This lane is a clear example of how dedicated capacity connects key production centers in Asia with growth markets in Mexico while creating additional opportunities across the Americas,” said Graham Perkins, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, Atlas Air Worldwide. “Global customers want predictable uplift and count on partners who can meet demand without compromising performance.”
Commemorating our 500th Flight
The milestone flight was commemorated on arrival in Guadalajara with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a plaque recognizing the teams behind the achievement, spanning GEODIS operations in Mexico and Asia and the broader Atlas network.
“What stands out is the consistency and fast turnarounds week after week,” said Rob Emanuel, Senior Manager, Charter Sales, Customer Support & Service, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, Atlas Air Worldwide. “Customers also choose Atlas for practical reasons: competitive pricing, the fit of the aircraft type, and the scale of our fleet to cover peaks. Together, those factors are precisely what GEODIS’s customers count on and why we are trusted to with their most time-sensitive freight.”
Looking ahead
As nearshoring continues to reshape trade flows between Asia and the Americas, Atlas and GEODIS are aligned on meeting growing demand. This 500th flight isn’t just a celebration, it’s proof that a true partnership can turn any lane into an enduring, competitive advantage that delivers value.
