Zongteng Group’s YunExpress delves into air cargo with first freighter flight

Zongteng Group’s YunExpress has carried out its first freighter flight with a Boeing B777F from Shenzhen to Paris on January 16.

The new Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport route by the Chinese e-commerce logistics express carrier has a planned annual cargo capacity of over 15,000 tonnes.

Flights will connect with further transport hubs in Paris.

A second B777 freighter is expected to enter service in the third quarter of 2023, and there will then be six-eight direct flights per week from Shenzhen to Paris.

In 2024, the total annual cargo capacity is projected to reach 28,000 tonnes.

Zongteng Group took delivery of its first Boeing B777F freighter at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in October.

Jack Peng, senior vice president Zongteng Group and general manager YunExpress, commented: “We were honoured to celebrate this special day with our partners.

“The Boeing freighter significantly extends our line-haul transportation capabilities and strengthens end-to-end supply chain infrastructure, so the launch of this flight route is a milestone.”

He added: “Zongteng Group looks forward to realizing the immense potential of Sino-European cross-border trade, in collaboration with our European partners.

“We strive to build on our strategic investment in self-owned freighters and logistics network, and identify further opportunities to maximise the capabilities of the airfreight supply chain.”

French airport operator Groupe ADP said in a LinkedIn post: “Arrival today at Paris-Charles de Gaulle from Shenzhen of the first all-cargo flight of YunExpress, a leading Chinese express carrier.

“Operated with a Boeing 777F and in collaboration with Central Airlines, this route increases the dynamism of the first airport in Europe for cargo.”

Edouard Mathieu, chief development officer at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, said: “Today, we are not only welcoming an airline, but also the birth of a long-term partnership with YunExpress and all the others stakeholders involved in the airport cargo activity.”

Groupe ADP builds, develops and operates airport platforms including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget.

Found in 2014, YunExpress provides global logistics services and has four main business parts, cross-border B2C business lines, FBA transfer, postal parcel, and international express.