TNT and Con-way Freight have announced the expansion of intercontinental connections between the USA and Europe with new service gateways at Los Angeles International Airport and Miami International Airport. The new strategic locations will improve transit times for customers of TNT and Con-way Freight day-definite door-to-door international freight services between Europe and the American Southwest and Southeast. Previously, the global accelerated solution for heavier freight shipments (more than 70 kg or 150 lbs) had been operated only through a gateway at New York’s JFK International Airport.

“Adding these two new gateways will help us reduce transit times and better serve the needs of customers in the Southeast and Southwest USA,” said Matt McDonough, president, TNT North America. “Expanding our infrastructure and reach improves our offering — a uniquely reliable, cost-effective and fast intercontinental service solution.”

The Los Angeles and Miami gateways add breadth to the extensive global network formed by the combination of the well-established TNT and Con-way Freight systems. TNT operates Europe’s largest road express network, with 414 depots across 39 European countries and will utilize its 767 200F Series plane from Liege, Belgium, to JFK International Airport, connecting the main hub in Europe to the United States five days a week. Con-way Freight operates more than 300 service centers throughout North America, and recently optimized its network to cut transit times by one day to more than 460 U.S. destinations.

“The two new gateways will enable importers to the USA to reach deeper into the Con-way Freight network, strengthening the joint service offering once again,” said John G. Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. “Adding these strategic locations to our comprehensive door-to-door network will improve service between the Southeastern and Southwestern United States and Europe, enabling customers shipping to and from those areas to reduce costs while bringing product to market faster than ever.”

In addition to reducing transit times, the Los Angeles and Miami gateways will also strategically position TNT and Con-way Freight for potential future expansion of their international offerings in addition to the current service to and from Europe. The two companies launched their Europe-to-United States service as part of an exclusive alliance in April 2009, adding a USA-to-Europe solution in April 2010.