Wednesday, June 1, 2011

China Cargo Airlines returns to the skies

China Cargo Airlines 747-40BF/ER/SCD (35207/1377) B-2425 taxies at Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC/PANC) in Anchorage, Alaska on May 3, 2008.
(Photo by Michael Carter)

China Eastern Airlines is also seeking to buttress its cargo business through the relaunch of China Cargo Airlines, which is based on the assets of CEA's old subsidiary China Cargo Airlines, Shanghai Airlines Cargo International and Great Wall Airlines. The new China Cargo Airlines has a registered capital of CNY3 billion ($463 million). CEA holds 51%, China Ocean Shipping Co. owns 17%, Eva Airways controls 16% and Singapore Cargo Airlines has 16%.


CCA is based in Shanghai and will operate 18 freighters comprising five 747-400Fs, four 777Fs, four MD-11Fs, two 757-200Fs and three Airbus A300-600Fs. It is scheduled to introduce two new 777Fs this year. CEA MD Ma Xulun said the 747-400F and 777F would become the cargo venture's main fleet types by 2015.


Shanghai is the biggest and most lucrative cargo market in China,but it is dominated by FedEx, UPS and DHL rather than domestic operators. In addition to the new CEA carrier, Air China and Cathay Pacific Airways formally launched their SHA-based joint venture cargo operation in May (ATW Daily News, May 12). It is noteworthy that Guangzhou-based CZ has also shifted its cargo base to SHA.

(Katie Cantle - ATWOnline News)

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