Taipei, 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — China Airlines joined SkyTeam Cargo today as its 10th member, marked by a joining ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia. As the first airline from Taiwan to join the only global airline cargo alliance, China Airlines not only strengthens SkyTeam Cargo’s network in Asia, but also elevates Taiwan’s position as a regional air transport hub.
China Airlines currently operates to 84 destinations in 27 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including 84 weekly freighter flights among 32 freighter destinations. By joining SkyTeam Cargo, China Airlines has expanded its cargo network to 864 destinations in 174 countries, providing cargo service on more than 11,392 daily flights.
As the flag carrier of Taiwan, China Airlines is also one of the world’s leading airfreight carriers, ranked eighth in IATA’s 2011 list of the world’s largest cargo carriers by international air cargo volume. China Airlines enjoys niche market opportunities in the cross-Strait market and provides connection service to many air hubs in Asia. China Airlines cargo services, cover major continents through a combination of air and land transport services. Taken together with the expansive network of SkyTeam Cargo, China Airlines is able to provide customers with more efficient, consistent, customized, frequent, and seamless air cargo services.
In addition to raising China Airlines’ profile in the global airfreight market, China Airline’s membership in SkyTeam Cargo also boosts Taiwan’s international visibility. Through SkyTeam Cargo’s expansive network and the built-in partnership among member airlines, China Airlines will raise the total volume of air cargo transported to or passing through Taiwan. China Airlines’ membership in SkyTeam Cargo will enhance the development of Taoyuan Aerotropolis and help shape Taiwan into one of the most important air transport hubs in the region.
As an alliance, China Airlines and the nine other member airlines share resources, including shared terminals and shared ground handlers. Coordinated warehousing operations harmonize handling and processes and mean faster connections for customers. The alliance’s wide variety of aircrafts and container solutions, as well as common product lines and handling processes, make routing efficient and more cost effective. China Airlines will offer SkyTeam Cargo’s express shipping solutions Equation and Equation Heavy, and the pricing of these products will boost China Airlines’ cargo revenue and international competitiveness.
China Airlines has revamped the China Airlines Cargo website as part of its ongoing efforts to improve electronic service offerings. While the website still features the popular shipment tracking and flight search functions, China Airlines made changes include integrating member accounts in the customer center, upgrading the online booking system, and adding more functionality for booking agents. Customers will not only find the website easier to use, but also save paper in the process, and they also have the opportunity to post questions or feedback.
China Airlines is one of the top 10 airlines participating in IATA’s e-Freight, a project that aims to take the paper out of air cargo, and became IATA-certified in 2009. SkyTeam Cargo members are similarly committed to environmentally friendly practices, including conserving jet fuel, reducing aircraft weight, and using lighter fiber containers. In collaboration with the Industrial Technology Research Institute, China Airlines is evaluating the feasibility of electric vehicles at airports. Along with other SkyTeam member airlines, China Airlines will continue to provide customers with eco-friendly and efficient air cargo services.
About SkyTeamCargo
SkyTeam Cargo, launched in September 2000, includes members Aeroflot Cargo, Aeromexico Cargo, Air France Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, China Southern Cargo, Czech Airlines Cargo, Delta Cargo, KLM Cargo, and Korean Air Cargo. The airlines’ cargo divisions partnered to provide customers with access to a global route network, standardized operational processes, and “one roof” warehouse handling services. The components of SkyTeam Cargo ensure seamless cargo coordination and delivery throughout the alliance’s global network. The unique product portfolio range is commonly offered by all ten airline partners to their customers.
About China Airlines Cargo
Since taking delivery of the Taiwan’s first Boeing 747-400 long-range freighter in 2000, China Airlines, the flagship carrier of Taiwan, has remained in the top 10 cargo airlines on international routes. China Airlines carried 5,670 million ton-kilometers of cargo and ranked 8th place globally for international cargo transport by IATA Statistics report in 2011. China Airlines officially became a SkyTeam Member on September 28, 2011. As of September 2012, China Airlines operates 51 passenger jets and 21 B747-400F freighters servicing 27 countries and 84 destinations throughout Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.
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