Uni-top Airlines looks at regional feeder operations

China’s Uni-top Airlines, a subsidiary of the Shenzhen-based Uni-top Group, launched 747-200F service from its base in Wuhan to Almaty in Kazakhstan on July 30. More interesting, however, is that according to a Uni-top executive, the airline is in the process of setting up a domestic China feeder operation to support its international flying.

While no announcement has been made, Cargo Facts expects this will mark the entry into the carrier’s fleet of A300-600Fs. As we reported earlier this year, Uni-top acquired six A300-600s in passenger configuration from China Eastern Airlines, and placed a firm order for four conversions with EFW, the conversion arm of Airbus.

Uni-Top, which currently operates three 747-200Fs from its base in Wuhan, last year acquired Tianjin-based GrandStar Cargo International, the former joint venture of Sinotrans Air Transportation Development Co. and Korean Air. The acquisition gave Uni-Top Grandstar’s traffic rights, and also the carrier’s single 747-400F (26401). That freighter remains parked, and it is not known when Uni-Top will put it into service.