Shanghai Airlines Begins Singapore All-Cargo Service

Shanghai Airlines has become the second Chinese carrier to begin all-cargo flights to Singapore, following the start of the Yangtze River Express Airlines service, established in November 2005.

Shanghai Airlines will run 16 all-cargo flights weekly, following a recent sharp rise in air freight tonnage between China and Singapore. In 2005, the level of tonnage increased by 17% over 2004 to 130,000 tonnes.

The airline, which currently commands a 40% share of the air cargo market on the route, looks to increase this share with the introduction of its 16 all-cargo flights, which represents the largest number of flights servicing the Singapore-China pathway. Singapore Airlines Cargo operates 15 flights, while Chinese counterpart Yangtze River Express conducts eight per week.

After its initial flight last Friday, the airline has become one of thirteen providers flying between Singapore’s Changi airport and 19 cities in China, and hopes to extend its services next year to include passenger services. In total, the thirteen carriers operate over 400 weekly passenger and cargo flights.