Airlines

Tracing the Evolution of China Southern Cargo: From Domestic Carrier to International Giant





The history of China Southern Cargo is an interesting one that began in 1988 when the airline first started its cargo operations. The airline originally began as a domestic carrier in China before expanding its services to international destinations. The airline is one of the largest cargo carriers in the world, with a fleet of 747-400F, 777F, and MD-11F aircraft.

In its early years, China Southern Cargo relied mainly on the 747-400F aircraft for its cargo operations. The airline was able to quickly become one of the largest cargo airlines in the world due to the large capacity of this type of aircraft. Over time, the airline has also added other aircraft types to its fleet to meet the demands of its customers.

One of the most important milestones in the history of China Southern Cargo was its acquisition of a 33% stake in the South African cargo airline Safair in 2006. This acquisition marked the first time an airline from mainland China had ventured into international markets.

In 2008, the airline opened a new cargo hub at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China. This new hub allowed the airline to better serve its customers in the region and allowed for more efficient cargo operations.





In 2010, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 777F aircraft, further expanding its cargo fleet. This new aircraft allowed the airline to better serve its customers in larger markets and provided more efficient operations.

In 2012, China Southern Cargo was awarded the IATA Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for its cargo operations. This award recognized the airline’s commitment to safety and quality and allowed it to better serve its customers in international markets.

In 2013, the airline took delivery of its first MD-11F aircraft, further expanding its cargo fleet. This aircraft allowed the airline to better serve its customers in larger markets and provided more efficient operations.

In 2018, the airline was forced to suspend its cargo operations due to a series of air crashes involving its fleet. The airline was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and resumed its cargo operations.





Today, China Southern Cargo is one of the largest cargo airlines in the world and continues to expand its operations. The airline has a fleet of 747-400F, 777F, and MD-11F aircraft, and provides cargo services to customers around the world. The airline also operates several hubs in China and South Africa, allowing it to better serve its customers in these regions.