Cainiao joins Cargo Facts Asia e-commerce roundtable

William Xiong, chief strategist and general manager of export logistics for Alibaba’s logistics affiliate Cainiao, will join airline executives for a virtual roundtable discussion titled at this year’s Cargo Facts Asia titled, “The Future of Freighters in Asian E-Commerce Air Logistics.”

The session will be broadcast from 14:45-15:25 AM (GMT+8) on Wednesday, April 21, during this year’s virtual presentation of Cargo Facts Asia. The panel will feature:

• Pete Chareonwongsak, Chief Executive Officer, Teleport
• Sanand Karnik, Chief Operating Officer, K-Mile Air
• Joanna Li, Director – Strategic Partnership Asia & Pacific, Volga Dnepr Group/AirBridgeCargo Airlines

With the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzing e-commerce growth, airfreight and, in many cases, dedicated cargo flights have been the only option available to meet the service delivery requirements of online shoppers.

Last year, Cainiao quadrupled the number of cargo flights it charters in an effort to cater to Alibaba’s growing cross-border operations.

Each of the airlines represented are key suppliers to leading e-tailers and express carriers facilitating cross-border logistics.

Teleport, the logistics tech arm of low-cost carrier AirAsia, has operated cargo-only charters for e-tailers, including Cainaio. Ahead of last year’s “11.11” shopping holiday, Teleport organized AirAsia charters between China and Malaysia on behalf of Alibaba’s Tall platform.

Volga-Dnepr Group and its affiliate carriers have added dedicated 747F flights for Cainiao and other integrators. ASL’s subsidiary carriers, meanwhile, operate narrowbody and widebody freighters on an ACMI and charter basis for shippers including Amazon, FedEx and DHL.

The speakers will discuss the post-pandemic normal for e-commerce; e-commerce and airfreight capacity management strategies, and the role of freighters in fulfilling Asian e-commerce in 2021.

Cargo Facts Asia will take place April 20-21 as a virtual experience. To learn more, and register, visit www.cargofacts.org.