Air France-KLM and China Southern, the biggest Chinese airline (by the size of its fleet, the network, and the number of passengers transported) recently announced they would partner and create a joint-venture to operate freight aircrafts. If both companies get the needed authorisations, the deal could be concluded by the end of 2008.

The newly formed company would be name AE Cargo (Asia-Europe Cargo), in which Air France will not hold more than 25% of the shares. The French-Dutch airline will however provide the CEO. Asia-Europe Cargo will develop a 10-aircraft sized fleet in the next two years. Both partners still have to determine the hub location, either in Guangzhou, Shanghai or Shenzhen.

References

  • Article: La joint-venture fret entre Air France et China Southern prend forme concrète, Lloyd, Jun. 5, 2008: here
  • Article: Air France-KLM: Projet de co-entreprise avec China Southern, CercleFinance.com
  • Article: Fret: Air France-KLM avance en Chine avec un accord-cadre de coentreprise, AFP, Jun. 3, 2008: here
  • Article: Fret : 110% de hausse depuis janvier, Challenges, Jun. 3, 2008: here
  • Article: China Southern va créer une joint-venture avec Air France-KLM, Reuters, Jun. 3, 2008: here