China Southern Airlines to join SkyTeam Cargo in 2010

China Southern Airlines confirmed plans to join SkyTeam Cargo in 2010. With full membership in SkyTeam Cargo expected prior to Nov-2010, China Southern Airlines will become the first Chinese carrier to join a global air cargo alliance. The alliance currently has seven partners: Aeromexico Cargo, Air France Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, Czech Airlines Cargo, Delta Cargo, KLM Cargo and Korean Air Cargo. China Southern Cargo operates two B47-400Fs and two B77-200Fs, with its fleet to be expanded to eight freighters by the end of 2011, with the introduction of four more B77-200Fs. The carrier currently offers all-cargo services from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Chicago with plans to launch new inter-continental freighter services from Pudong (or Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport) to Vienna, New York, Dallas and other major destinations across Europe and North America. [more]

China Southern Airlines: "This move into SkyTeam Cargo exemplifies the vitality of China's air cargo industry, following its passenger transportation business and marks an important step forward towards the internationalization of the Chinese civil aviation industry...Since its passenger membership into the SkyTeam Alliance on 15-Nov-2007, China Southern Cargo has been working to narrow the gap in all areas between itself and the Alliance. In accordance with SkyTeam's management concepts, management expertise and service standards, China Southern has been vigorously engaged in safety auditing, fleet renewal and expansion, hub network development, product range establishment, service procedure improvement, information reconstruction and product branding," Luo Laijun, Senior VP Cargo. Source: Company Statement.