China Air Cargo prepares for takeoff

Eight months ago, we reported that startup Chinese all-cargo carrier China Air Cargo Co. Ltd was about to take to the skies. It had taken redelivery of its first freighter – a Precision-converted 757-200PCF, and was within weeks of receiving its Operating Certificate.

As is often the case, the final step, the dotting of the last “I” and crossing of the last “t” on the AOC, took months, not weeks, and that first freighter stayed on the ground at the HAECO facility in Xiamen (XMN) where it was converted, with ceremonial redelivery temporarily on hold.

But the first flight now seems imminent, and it looks as if it will involve two freighters, not one. The carrier has printed a “First Redelivery” banner to celebrate the “official” redelivery of the first freighter, but the imminent redelivery of the second is more than hinted at in the above photo.

The aircraft in the front is 27513, an ex-Xiamen Airlines aircraft, converted to PCF freighter configuration last year at HAECO Xiamen by Precision Aircraft Solutions, the aircraft at the back is 27517, also ex-Xiamen Airlines, also now converted to PCF freighter configuration and fresh out of the paintshop in its new livery.

China Air Cargo Co Ltd, a joint venture of Joy Air Holding, Guangzhou Donlinks Group, and Beijing Fuda Asset Management, received initial approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of China in late 2015, but, in mid-2016, the CAAC put the approval process for new airlines on hold, partly to weed out applications from carriers trying to use the relatively easy path to all-cargo certification with the intent of switching to passenger operation following approval, and China Air Cargo was left in limbo.

The CAAC eventually lifted its hold, but, as mentioned above, the approval process for China Air Cargo Corp did not happen overnight, and it is only now that the company feels confident enough in being able to fly “soon” that it has held a formal redelivery celebration.

As to the carrier’s plans for the aircraft, nothing has been announced, but Cargo Facts believes China Air Cargo will, initially at least, fly in support of one of the big Chinese express companies.

Interested in the the narrowbody freighter business in general and the China market in particular? Then join us at the Cargo Facts Symposium in Miami, 2 – 4 October, where Precision Aircraft Solutions President Gary Warner will participate in a session devoted to the future of the narrowbody freighter market. To register, or for more information, go to CargoFactsSymposium.com.