Does e-commerce fleet expansion signal the untapped potential of Russian market?

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• July 31, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Freighter Fleet Analysis, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

Alibaba’s e-commerce affiliate Cainiao has committed to prying open more airfreight links between its home market, China, and Russia, and will soon begin services with a newly delivered 757-200PCF (27051, ex-American Airlines) it is chartering from Aviastar-TU.  According to Cainiao, the recently placed 757-200PCF will start flying e-commerce shipments from China to Russia in August, adding to an already […]

Aviastar-Tu to add Cainiao-branded 757F

• Jeff Lee
• July 1, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Russia-based Aviastar-Tu could soon be adding its fourth 757-200F, but this one, unlike the other three, is painted in the colors of Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics arm. The 757-200PCF was seen conducting ground tests in Goodyear (GYR) and posted to social media in late June. Cargo Facts believes the aircraft is unit 27051 (ex-American Airlines), which was […]

Cainiao to quadruple charter flights

• Charles Kauffman
• June 24, 2020
• All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, E-Commerce, Express, News, Strategy

Alibaba’s logistics affiliate Cainiao plans to quadruple international charter flight bookings to an estimated 1,260 flights over the next nine months as part of a series of investments totaling $140 million (RMB 1 billion) aimed at reducing average delivery times for its cross-border shipments. Cainiao expects the increased reliance on own-controlled charter flights to shorten […]

Cainiao hires Atlas 747F to bridge Asia and Latin America

• Charles Kauffman
• June 16, 2020
• Logistics, News, Production Freighters

This month, Atlas Air commenced weekly flights to Sao Paulo (GRU) and Santiago (SCL) from Hong Kong (HKG) utilizing a 747-400F (29260). The flight segments are chartered by a partnership between Alibaba’s logistics affiliate, Cainiao, and freight forwarder Sinotrans, Cargo Facts has learned. Starting next week, Atlas will add a second weekly frequency between Asia […]

Aviastar-TU plans to add more 757Fs

• Jeff Lee
• July 22, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, E-Commerce, Features, Narrowbody Conversions

Russia-based Aviastar-TU will “most probably” expand its fleet with more 757Fs in 2020, the carrier confirmed to Cargo Facts. Aviastar-TU currently operates three 757-200Fs and four TU-204-100Cs. The carrier joined the ranks of those who operate the freighter version of the 757 when it took delivery of its first 757-200PCF (25731, ex-American Airlines) in August […]

E-commerce and freighters part II: Partnering on Asia-Pacific fulfillment

• Caryn Livingston
• June 27, 2019
• E-Commerce, Strategy

Yesterday, in part I of our feature on e-commerce and freighters, we explored the rise of the own-operated network for e-commerce fulfillment in the United States. In part II today, we consider how e-tailers in the Asia-Pacific region are utilizing partner capacity to fulfill growing e-commerce demand in the region.  Across the Pacific Ocean, Chinese e-tail […]

YTO to launch China-Malaysia ops for Cainiao next month

• Chelsea Toczauer
• June 7, 2019
• All Posts, Carriers, E-Commerce, Strategy

YTO Cargo Airlines said it will launch a service between Changsha (CSX) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) on behalf of Chinese e-giant Alibaba’s logistics arm, Cainiao, in July. In the second half of the year, YTO Cargo Airlines will also seek to expand its network to Pakistan, while increasing frequencies to Saigon (SGN) and Manila (MNL). […]

Cainiao shifts focus to import logistics as trade war intensifies

• Charles Kauffman
• May 21, 2019
• E-Commerce, News, Update

China-based Alibaba Group made no attempt to avoid discussion of the trade war following the release of its Q419 earnings. Instead, during a call with analysts this week, company CEO Daniel Zhang called the tense negotiations between the United States and China, “an opportunity for the Chinese economy.” Rather than focus on export declines, “China […]