Cargolux, RUS Aviation consider new ventures

For every cargo airline that closes, it seems another one opens. July brought news of two potential startups.

Cargolux is considering a joint venture airline with its Henan shareholder, HNCA, to grab growing e-commerce volumes in China. While it is believed that examining the viability of a joint venture airline is a contractual commitment for the Luxembourg-based carrier, it certainly seems to be going along willingly. But it has also expressed interest in using existing belly capacity or the express networks of Chinese domestic carriers, instead of launching an airline outright.

In the Middle East, Sharjah-based RUS Aviation appears to be on its way to a new AOC for subsidiary carrier Unique. The all-cargo company is playing its cards close to its chest, however, and would not divulge any further details.