Founded by the Alibaba-led consortium in China, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network is a logistics platform with extensive global network that promises swift delivery worldwide.
Air cargo demand for the first quarter of 2021 continues to remain strong and the Covid-19 pandemic created a number of supply and demand issues primarily as a result of the lack of passenger cargo belly capacity. Whilst the passenger market has declined, the cargo market has strengthened. In 2020, Hong Kong Air Cargo carried a total of 238,000 tonnes cargo which represents a 8.1 per cent increase compared to 2019.
Mr Jeffrey Zhang, Director, Commercial, Hong Kong Air Cargo said, “This is a very exciting day for Hong Kong Air Cargo. It has always been our goal to establish Hong Kong as an express eCommerce hub and this partnership is most definitely a step in the right direction. We are proud to partner with Cainiao.”
General Manager Cainiao Global Supply Chain, Mr. James Zhao said, “As one of the fastest growing eCommerce markets in the world, Southeast Asia is projected to achieve a 23 per cent CAGR to reach US$172 billion in 2025[1]. With more cross-border eCommerce goods moving from Mainland China to Southeast Asia, the launch of cargo flights via Cainiao eHub will allow us to create a seamless logistics network that will improve efficiency and reduce shipping time. The partnership with Hong Kong Air Cargo will further safeguard air freight stability and cost efficiency to benefit merchants and consumers in the region. In the near term, we aim to expand our air freight network to more countries and regions to achieve our goal of delivering globally within 72 hours.”
The first consignment set off on its journey in the early hours on Tuesday 23rd March 2021 at Hong Kong International Airport.
Hong Kong Air Cargo currently operates five Airbus A330-200 aircraft to 12 scheduled destinations. To meet the increasing cargo demand and to build Hong Kong’s eCommence hub, Hong Kong Air Cargo has submitted applications for permission to add 9 destinations to its network.
[1] E-Conomy SEA 2020 Report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company
***
About Hong Kong Air Cargo
Launched in 2017, Hong Kong Air Cargo, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Airlines, is an all-cargo carrier based in Hong Kong providing international air freight transportation services. Hong Kong Air Cargo’s route network covers 12 destinations across the region including Almaty, Bangkok, Dhaka, Hangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Zhengzhou with over 200 staff and a fleet of five Airbus A330-200F. Additionally, they are the general sales agent of Hong Kong Airlines’ cargo business. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong Air Cargo is committed to working with the authorities to ensure that all its crew are protected and adhere to the health regulations and restrictions.
About Cainiao Smart Logistics Network
Founded in 2013, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network (“Cainiao”) is a technology company and the logistics affiliate of Alibaba Group. It adopts a collaborative approach to logistics with an innovative and open data platform that improves efficiency and customer experience for all players along the supply chain. It carries forward Alibaba’s mission of making it easy to do business anywhere by aiming to deliver anywhere in China within 24 hours, and across the globe within 72 hours.