European, Middle Eastern carriers see growth return in May first look

After a particularly weak April for air cargo traffic, carriers based in Europe and the Middle East saw growth return in our first look at May results. Among those carriers based outside Europe and the Middle East, only China Southern Airlines reported a year-over-year increase for May traffic, of 1.1%. Turkish Cargo reported the strongest […]

• Brianne Ledda
• June 25, 2019

First NCA aircraft returns to service

On 4 July, Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) announced that a single 747-8F (36141) passed a government safety audit, and was cleared to return to service. Shortly after, on 5 July, the aircraft went on to complete a round-trip flight between Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) – the carrier’s first scheduled own-operated flight since […]

• Charles Kauffman
• July 5, 2018

Pactl’s cargo handle up almost 15% in July

A month ago, Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co Ltd (Pactl, the biggest handler at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport) reported a 13.8% y-o-y increase in its June cargo handle to 155,000 tonnes, its biggest year-over-year gain this year. Well, that was June, and Pactl’s July results are even stronger. Pactl reported its July handle up […]

• David Harris
• August 9, 2017

SF Express Airlines opens new hub at Shanghai Pudong

Following the recent termination of CAAC restrictions which had for months blocked Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) from launching new flights, SF Express Airlines seized the opportunity to bring China’s most populous city into its rapidly expanding air freight network. A new 25,000 sq. meter airside terminal will allow SF to connect its expansive ground […]

• Charles Kauffman
• July 13, 2017

Peeking ahead to peak season

Yes, it is still mid-summer, but news out of China today has us looking ahead to the fourth quarter. Peak season may not be quite the massive boost to air freight volumes that it once was, but it is still important. Retailers still make mistakes with inventory planning, and there is nothing a cargo airline […]

• David Harris
• July 29, 2016

Pactl and Turkish join the new-record club

To our list of record-breaking November cargo performances we now add Pactl and Turkish Airlines. And not just a record month for these two, but a record year, as both have already surpassed last year’s full-year totals. Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminals Co. Ltd (Pactl) handles just under half the cargo moving through PVG. In November, it reported its monthly handle […]

• David Harris
• December 18, 2014

Cherry Season

It’s early summer and for the Pacific Northwest that means it’s the height of Cherry season, so no points for guessing what this China Cargo Airlines 777F is carrying as it departs SeaTac for Shanghai Pudong. As in previous summers, the export of Washington Cherries brings atypical visitors to Seattle to transport the fruits by […]

• David Harris
• July 8, 2014