Source: Cargonews Asia Author: 06/01/2009
Subject Concerned: Airlines Cargo
Jade Cargo International, the cargo airline joint venture between Lufthansa and Shenzhen Airlines, plans to expand its operations in mainland China's western provinces as it copes with a steep decline in the cargo business.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the air-cargo market appeared to have found a floor after a fifth consecutive month of more than 20 per cent year-on-year declines, the South China Morning Post reported.
Jade said it saw a rebound in cargo demand for some routes after posting a 30 percent drop in volume in the first four months from last year.
Jade anticipates taking part in the development of the western region and is already in talks with two or three provincial heads.
There have been some positive signs on the route from South Korea to Europe through the mainland. Cargo space on routes out of China were almost fully packed.
Cargo demand out of Shanghai was better than that from Shenzhen, due to the massive closures of manufacturers in the Pearl River Delta since last year.