Freighters carry medical aid from China to Europe

• Jeff Lee
• March 25, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

As the COVID-19 crisis worsens in Europe, a plethora of medical equipment and aid is now being flown in from China by a range of freighter aircraft, whether production, converted or makeshift. ASL Airlines Belgium is currently operating ten flights a week using 747-400Fs between Liege and China. While these flights transported medical supplies from […]

China Southern spins off cargo unit

• Jeff Lee
• December 26, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

China Southern Airlines has spun off its cargo unit into a separate company. The new, fully owned subsidiary was set up on Dec. 24 and has a registered capital of 1 billion yuan (US$142.9 million). The move is in line with China’s national policy of reforming its large state-owned enterprises. China Southern said during Cargo […]

Eastern Air Logistics hints at more 777Fs for China Cargo Airlines

• Jeff Lee
• July 10, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Features, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

Eastern Air Logistics (EAL) plans to expand the fleet of its subsidiary China Cargo Airlines with more 777Fs, according to the prospectus the company filed for an initial public offering (IPO). EAL also intends to buy more spare engines for its 777Fs. In a sign of confidence in the 777 platform, EAL said that, given […]

CAAC unveils carrier transfer strategy as Beijing prepares for second airport

• Chelsea Toczauer
• January 7, 2019
• All Posts

On 4 January, the CAAC released a “one city, two airports” transfer scheme that further refines airport assignments for Chinese carriers as Beijing prepares to become a dual hub city. Beijing Daxing International Airport (BJB), located 50 kilometers to the south of central Beijing, is set to open in September. Once operational, Daxing is expected […]

The world’s top 50 cargo carriers of 2017

• Caryn Livingston
• August 9, 2018
• All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Express, News

Last year when we analyzed the top 50 cargo carriers of 2016, we noted FedEx’s runaway cargo traffic growth through its acquisition of TNT, which further drove a wedge between FedEx and the number two contender for highest total cargo traffic, Emirates. However, a year can make quite a difference, and what an eventful year […]

JD Logistics adds second major airline partner, who’s next?

• Charles Kauffman
• January 19, 2018
• Carriers, E-Commerce, News

Last year, Chinese consumers bought more fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats, and other perishable products through online channels than any other country in the world — and demand shows no sign of letting up. In order to accommodate this demand, the logistics subsidiary of Beijing-based JD.com, JD Logistics, has been actively expanding its domestic last-mile […]

China Eastern to fuel JD.com’s own-operated air freight network?

• Charles Kauffman
• June 29, 2017
• Carriers, E-Commerce, News, Strategy

This week, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) and China’s number-two e-commerce player (after Alibaba’s Taobao), JD.com entered into a strategic partnership to “leverage each other’s resources” to strengthen their joint logistics capabilities. As would be expected, China Eastern Airlines’ key resource on offer is its airlift capacity, while JD’s is its e-commerce platform and last-mile delivery […]

New frontiers for China Cargo Airlines

• Charles Kauffman
• December 5, 2016
• Carriers, News, Strategy

On 29 November, China Eastern Airlines reached an agreement to sell its main-deck cargo business, including China Cargo Airlines, to CEA Holding for US$353 million. As things stand before the sale (which is awaiting approval), China Eastern Airlines is the sole owner of Eastern Logistics, which in turn, owns 83% of China Cargo Airlines (as […]