Is JD.com exploring own-controlled capacity?

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com had entered into discussions with the HNA Group over potential “participation” in one of the group’s air cargo carriers. We note that collaboration between the two companies has been expected to some extent since March of this year when JD.com and HNA Group entered into a […]

• Charles Kauffman
• July 24, 2018

YTO Cargo Airlines chasing cross-border e-commerce with 757Fs

Hangzhou-based YTO Cargo Airlines this year added two Precision-converted 757-200PCFs to its fleet, which previously consisted of just six 737-300Fs, with the intention of going global. Although it has taken YTO longer than anticipated to launch international cargo flights, new flight rights may soon be granted, and the carrier’s pursuit of chasing cross-border e-commerce volumes […]

• Charles Kauffman
• July 10, 2018

Is Google looking to expand beyond final-mile delivery?

In recent weeks, Google has been doubling-down on its retailing efforts, most visibly through a strategic partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com which aims to develop new e-commerce products and services for global markets. As part of the agreement, Google is expected to draw on JD’s supply chain expertise to expand its e-commerce businesses. Back […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 27, 2018

Azul Cargo Express’ initial freighter operations just the beginning?

In late December last year, Brazil-based Azul Brazilian Airlines issued a joint press release with Correios (the country’s postal service), announcing their plan to form “an integrated logistics solutions company.” Shortly after, the company announced its intention to lease two 737-400Fs, which lead to the false assumption by many, that the two deals were connected. […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 21, 2018

Google looks to e-commerce in partnership with China’s JD.com

Today, Google and JD.com announced a strategic partnership leveraging one another’s areas of expertise, to develop new e-commerce products and services for global markets, including Southeast Asia, the United States, and Europe. As part of the agreement, Google is investing US$550 million in Beijing-based JD.com, which will issue discounted Class A shares to the Silicon […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 18, 2018

Will partnering with Alibaba’s Cainiao payoff for global carriers?

In recent weeks, Alibaba’s Cainiao Smart Logistics Network has redoubled its focus on cross-border e-commerce with a string of new investments into logistics centers at six cities around the world, and, as of this week, new partnerships with global carriers. These initiatives support the Alibaba Group’s goal of reducing average delivery times to 24-hours across […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 13, 2018

Is Alibaba’s new joint venture at Hong Kong International Airport a game changer?

Last week, Alibaba’s logistics-affiliate, Cainiao, announced plans to open five global hubs in Asia, Europe and the Middle East “to meet the surging cross-border e-commerce needs”. Today, Hangzhou-based Cainiao unveiled a separate US$1.5 billion investment in a joint-venture logistics center at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), what will effectively be the sixth hub. With six […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 6, 2018

Alibaba refreshes blueprint for achieving global deliveries within 72 hours

  The goals remain much the same. Alibaba co-founder and chairman, Jack Ma has a steadfast vision for global e-commerce logistics that aims to make parcel shipments significantly cheaper, while boosting the speed of point-to-point deliveries so that a delivery between any two city pairs within China or between any two global cities can be […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 31, 2018

YTO Cargo Airlines looks beyond scheduled freighter services

Earlier this week, Hangzhou-based YTO Cargo Airlines opened a cargo sales office in downtown Shanghai, a move that seems to reflect a departure away from a business model previously reliant on providing lift for its parent company, YTO Express. Although “the majority of its capacity” will continue to serve YTO Express, the airline subsidiary is […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 24, 2018

Just what is Amazon carrying on its Prime Planes? [VIDEO]

In the twenty-month period since “Amazon One“, the first 767F donning “Prime” livery was unveiled to the public, Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW), the CMI operators of Amazon’s freighter network, have put a total of thirty-three 767Fs into service for the e-commerce giant.  Apart from the types of freighters in […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 11, 2018