Company profile
China Cargo Airlines was formally established on August 18, 1998, the first Chinese airline dedicated to cargo and mail transport, with headquarters in Shanghai and operating bases and self-operated terminals at both Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong international airports. Its controlling shareholder is Eastern Air Logistics and it sits within the China Eastern group, the specialist carrier for trunk freighter transport under Eastern Air Logistics. On June 5, 2013 it joined SkyTeam Cargo. IATA two-letter code CK, ICAO three-letter code CKK, official website ckair.com.
For Chinese shippers the airline runs its freighter hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, supported by belly and ground resources at the Hongqiao base, forming an export channel that covers East China and reaches worldwide. With its own freighter network, the belly capacity of more than 800 China Eastern passenger aircraft and the networks of SkyTeam Cargo members, it can move cargo to nearly 1,000 destinations in more than 140 countries and territories, and it holds interline, code-share and SPA arrangements with airlines in Asia, the Americas and Europe. The wider Eastern Air Logistics network reaches 945 destinations in 145 countries and territories, giving shippers in the Yangtze River Delta and across China capacity to the main markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
China Cargo Airlines was the first Chinese airline to obtain IATA e-freight certification, achieving paperless international and domestic round trips in China from 2010. Its cargo system covers agent contracts, waybill issuance, rate agreements, booking, capacity allocation, acceptance, load planning, departure, customs data filing, arrival, pickup and settlement, and it offers online booking, online documentation, flight information and Cargo2000-compliant end-to-end tracking in major cities. It has more than a thousand agency customers and strategic partnerships with logistics providers such as Sinotrans, Kerry Logistics and Shanghai Postal Express.
In 2025 Eastern Air Logistics reported revenue of RMB 24.264 billion and net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 2.688 billion, with stable operating quality. Around the building of Shanghai as an international shipping center it follows a strategy of developing passenger and cargo together and continues to optimize international cargo routes from Shanghai, supporting Chinese companies going global in high-end manufacturing, biopharma and cross-border e-commerce. For exporters, a single aircraft type, a young fleet and a steady Pudong operating rhythm mean shipping plans can be projected over the long term.
China contact
China Cargo Airlines is headquartered in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and handles arrivals and departures from bases at Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao international airports. It operates self-operated terminals and sales offices at several hub airports nationwide; public information shows a cargo sales office in Nanjing and other cities running capacity bidding and booking sales for sales agents. Shippers can check flight status, sales notices and product information at ckair.com, while booking and rate enquiries go through the carrier's approved cargo sales agents.
As a Chinese cargo airline, China Cargo Airlines has a complete headquarters, operations control, terminal and sales team in Shanghai, so cargo tendered at Pudong or Hongqiao gets local arrival, departure and ground support. We can help with booking, capacity confirmation and ground handling for the airline in Shanghai and at other gateways; contact details are at the end of the page. Office addresses, telephone numbers and current rates are subject to the carrier's official channels and confirmation on the day of booking.
Aircraft types
In its early years the airline opened its first international cargo routes with McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft and took its first Boeing 777F in 2010. It has since optimized the fleet and replaced older types, and by 2024 had moved to an all-Boeing 777F fleet. After taking 2 more B777F in the first half of 2026, the freighter fleet reached 20 aircraft as of June 30, 2026, with an average age of about 4.3 years, making it the Chinese cargo airline with the most B777F aircraft and the youngest fleet. It plans to grow to 23 aircraft by early 2027, reinforcing its position as the country's largest single-type Boeing 777F cargo operator. Capacity figures reference manufacturer data and actual payload is confirmed by the carrier on the day.
Boeing 777F
The Boeing 777F is the airline's only freighter type, with published combined main deck and belly capacity in the 100-tonne class, suited to long-haul trunk transport of time-sensitive cargo such as cross-border e-commerce, electronic components, high-value manufacturing and precision instruments. All 20 freighters are this type, and fleet commonality brings scheduling, maintenance and crew advantages, so Chinese shippers get dependable capacity on Europe and US trunk routes from Pudong.
China Eastern passenger belly capacity
China Cargo Airlines markets the belly capacity of more than 800 China Eastern passenger aircraft, so cities on China Eastern international routes offer belly space, which suits small, time-critical daily shipments. Belly capacity and freighter trunk services complement each other to form a dense daily express channel, and shippers can choose between them by volume and transit time.
Historical aircraft
In its early years the airline operated McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighters and later introduced the Boeing 747-400F for high-capacity long-haul work. As the fleet was optimized these older types left service, completing the move to an all-B777F fleet by 2024. Details of the historic types are not published; confirmation follows the aircraft actually operated by the carrier on the day.
On June 11, 2026 a newly painted Eastern Air Logistics freighter, the farm-to-table service aircraft, arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and joined the China Cargo Airlines fleet; it has a blue water-ripple background with cherries, lobster and blueberries that present the fresh cold-chain business. A uniform, young fleet helps lower operating cost and support levels and gives Chinese shippers stable long-haul capacity.
Airports served in China and schedules
China Cargo Airlines runs its freighter hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, has a base and terminal at Hongqiao, and draws on Eastern Air Logistics self-operated terminals at 17 hub airports nationwide for standardized ground handling: build-up, tally, transit and documentation. Frequencies at each gateway change with the season and demand, and capacity and times are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
Core freighter hub and main origin for international trunk services, and the main gateway for Europe and US long-haul freighter routes; the Pudong terminal provides full arrival and departure, screening and build-up support, so cargo can be tendered the same day and connect to intercontinental flights.
The airline's other base and terminal, handling domestic sectors and transfers between the two airports; fixed and airside transfers link Hongqiao and Pudong so cargo can connect quickly.
One of the domestic cargo points, with scheduled freighter flights from Pudong to Chongqing (for example CK5061) serving consolidation and transit for Southwest China, so shippers in the northwest and southwest can connect locally to Pudong trunk services.
One of the domestic cargo points, with scheduled freighter flights from Pudong to Shenzhen (for example CK214) linking Pearl River Delta electronics manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, so South China cargo can transit Shenzhen to Pudong for export.
The airline has cargo sales offices in Nanjing and elsewhere and runs route and flight capacity bidding sales; Eastern Air Logistics self-operated terminals cover hub airports including Beijing, Kunming, Xi'an, Wuhan, Jinan, Qingdao, Lanzhou, Hefei and Taiyuan.
With warehouse space and handling areas at 17 self-operated hub terminals nationwide, the airline provides domestic truck flights, transfers between the two Shanghai airports, airside transfers and short ground hauls between airport terminals, connecting air and road transport efficiently.
Schedule confirmation: frequencies at each gateway change with the season and demand, and capacity and times are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking; times are local, schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking. The table lists the main points from public sources; actual destinations and frequencies are confirmed by the carrier on the day.
Scope of international air cargo service from China
China Cargo Airlines freighter routes start from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and reach major markets in Europe, North America and Asia. By the end of 2025 the freighter network covered about 20 international core cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Riyadh, Budapest, Hanoi, Seoul, Singapore and Bangkok, forming a stable international cargo channel. Through China Eastern belly capacity and the SkyTeam Cargo network, cargo reaches 945 destinations in 145 countries and territories.
| China origin ports | Main destination stations | Aircraft operated | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | London Stansted, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris | Boeing 777F | London service 3 times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday); times are local; schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | New York, Los Angeles, Chicago (via Anchorage), Seattle | Boeing 777F | Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Seoul Incheon, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi | Boeing 777F | Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Riyadh, Budapest and others | Boeing 777F | Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Domestic points such as Shenzhen and Chongqing | Boeing 777F | Domestic connecting flights; times are local |
| China Eastern passenger belly network | 945 destinations in 145 countries and territories | China Eastern passenger belly capacity | Operated to China Eastern passenger schedules; times are local |
The table lists main directions compiled from public sources; actual routings and schedules are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
In terms of nonstop markets, the freighter fleet regularly covers major hubs in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Hungary. On June 23, 2026 flight CK605 carried 96.3 tonnes of cross-border e-commerce parcels, high-end light industrial goods, electronic components and precision parts from Shanghai Pudong to London Stansted, the first Shanghai to London freighter route opened by Eastern Air Logistics, planned at three flights a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, adding capacity on the China-Europe lane.
On extra sections and charters, the airline has repeatedly operated extra flights from Shanghai Pudong to Amsterdam in recent years; public approvals for international extra sections and charters by the civil aviation authority include China Cargo Airlines Pudong to Amsterdam freighter records, showing that capacity on key European points can be flexed with extra flights in peak season or for large shipments. If capacity is tight, shippers can apply for extra capacity through their agent, subject to carrier approval. With SkyTeam Cargo and truck connections, cargo arriving at gateways such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Los Angeles can continue to inland cities.
Route map of the network from China worldwide
The map shows the China Cargo Airlines freighter network from Shanghai Pudong, with the main international freighter destinations marked. Dark blue dashed arcs are the long-haul trunks from Pudong to Europe, the Americas and Asia; actual cities and schedules follow the carrier's confirmation on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
A young, all-widebody fleet
20 B777F aircraft in service, one type, with an average age of about 4.3 years. A single type brings scale advantages in scheduling, maintenance and crew rostering, and gives Chinese shippers predictable capacity on Europe and US trunks out of Pudong.
Two bases at the Pudong hub
Shanghai Pudong is the core freighter hub, with an operating base and cargo terminal at Hongqiao as well and a fixed road transfer link between the two airports. Shippers in the Yangtze River Delta can tender nearby, domestic connections are quick and cargo can enter international trunk flights the same day.
Freighters plus belly capacity
Freighter trunks combine with belly capacity on more than 800 China Eastern passenger aircraft: large lots go on freighters in peak season, small daily lots in bellies, and Chinese shippers can mix the two by volume and transit time, with several ways to obtain space.
SkyTeam Cargo network
As a SkyTeam Cargo member the company uses member networks, capacity swaps, code shares and SPA interline agreements to extend direct reach to nearly a thousand destinations, so secondary cities also get connecting space.
Paperless cargo, visible end to end
The first Chinese carrier to obtain IATA e-freight certification, its cargo system covers booking, load planning, departure, customs declaration and pickup settlement, and supports online booking, online documentation and Cargo2000 standard tracking, so shipment status can be checked.
Leading perishable and cold chain capability
The Farm to Table product works the fresh supply chain and has been the largest air importer of Chilean cherries for 12 consecutive years; in 2025 it carried 46,000 tonnes of origin-direct cargo, up more than 40 percent year on year, with mature temperature control and perishable handling.
Booking path from China
Chinese shippers book through forwarders accredited by China Cargo Airlines; the company has sales offices in Nanjing and other cities and runs capacity auctions for registered agents. After tender at Shanghai Pudong or another Chinese airport, cargo goes through export clearance, security screening and loading into the trunk flight, and at destination connects to pickup or onward movement.
Provide cargo volume details
The shipper gives commodity, weight, volume, origin gateway and destination station to a freight forwarder for a quote.
Confirm space and rate
The forwarder confirms the flight and capacity, issues the rate and routing plan, and locks the departure date.
Delivery to the cargo terminal
Cargo is delivered as agreed to the China Cargo Airlines terminal at Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao for tender and security screening.
Customs clearance and loading
After export clearance and document checks, cargo is built up by allotted space and loaded for departure.
Pickup at destination
Cargo is collected at the destination airport, or connects to trucking and the alliance network for onward movement.
We coordinate on your behalf
We can verify capacity, prepare the air waybill documents and coordinate ground handling at the Shanghai airports.
An international freight forwarder must hold the relevant licence and give an accurate commodity and declared value at booking. Dangerous goods and special cargo need advance declaration with compliant documents, confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
Documents and declaration: export bookings need a commercial invoice, packing list and customs declaration data, and dangerous goods, lithium batteries and temperature-controlled cargo need the relevant transport documents and declarations. Shippers submit through a qualified international forwarder, which confirms capacity, files the air waybill and handles export clearance. The China Cargo Airlines e-freight system lets agents sign up online, issue air waybills and allocate capacity; once the carrier confirms the flight and space on the booking day, cargo is tendered at the terminal at the agreed time, with clear steps and clear responsibility.
Other specialist services
China Cargo Airlines offers separate products for express, special cargo and general cargo, supported by whole-pallet transfer, direct apron transfer, full cold chain, handling monitoring and warehouse direct delivery. The services address common shipping needs of Chinese shippers and can all be requested through a forwarder at booking.
Time-definite express
Airport-to-airport express for cargo with a deadline, suited to urgent shipments, time-critical documents and samples; on Europe and US trunks from Pudong, departure can be given priority against booked space.
Special cargo transport
Dangerous goods, perishables, live animals and valuables are accepted under the relevant IATA rules, with dedicated warehouses for dangerous goods, valuables and live animals, and carriage follows declaration.
Full cold chain and origin-direct service
The Farm to Table product covers high-frequency categories such as cherries, salmon, lobster and king crab, with chilled, frozen and constant-temperature warehouses; in 2025 pharmaceutical imports and exports reached 7,800 tonnes, and capability for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals keeps expanding.
Cross-border e-commerce solutions
Using the Pudong gateway and trunk capacity, it offers dedicated capacity and block space for cross-border e-commerce lots; the first London flight carried 96.3 tonnes of e-commerce parcels and light manufactured goods, and space can be reserved ahead in peak season.
Charters and extra flights
The airline has repeatedly run extra flights from Pudong to Amsterdam and other points, and large or urgent lots can request temporary capacity. A full charter is priced by sector and suits one-off large lots, subject to carrier approval.
Apron transfer and whole-pallet handling
Services include whole-pallet transfer, direct apron transfer, warehouse direct delivery and handling monitoring, so transit cargo avoids depalletising and repeat handling and connection time is shorter; the operating plan is confirmed by the carrier on the day.
FAQ
Freighter types in service
The fleet is all Boeing 777F, 20 aircraft as of the end of June 2026 with an average age of about 4.3 years; the MD-11F and B747-400F have been retired and the fleet is due to reach 23 aircraft in early 2027.
International cities served direct from Shanghai Pudong
The freighter network covers about 20 major international cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Riyadh and Budapest.
London Stansted schedule
The route opened on 23 June 2026 as China Eastern Logistics' first Shanghai to London freighter service, planned at 3 flights a week departing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; the schedule changes with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the booking day governs.
Lithium batteries and dangerous goods
The company accepts dangerous goods, perishables, live animals and valuables under the relevant IATA rules, with dedicated warehouses; compliance documents are needed at booking and the classes that can be carried are confirmed by the carrier on the day.
Tendering at Chinese airports other than Pudong
The company has an operating base at Hongqiao, domestic points including Shenzhen and Chongqing, and ground handling at its own cargo terminals at 17 hub airports such as Beijing, Kunming, Xi'an, Wuhan, Nanjing, Jinan and Qingdao through China Eastern Logistics.
Capacity for small lots
Beyond freighters the company markets belly capacity on more than 800 China Eastern passenger aircraft and uses the SkyTeam Cargo network, so small and time-critical lots find regular space through bellies and connections.
Perishable and cold chain handling
The Farm to Table product has been the largest air importer of Chilean cherries for 12 consecutive years, with chilled, frozen and constant-temperature warehouses and a full cold chain; in 2025 origin-direct volume was 46,000 tonnes and pharmaceutical imports and exports 7,800 tonnes.
Schedules and times
Times are local, the schedule changes with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the booking day governs; shippers can ask the forwarder for the day's times at booking and track status in the e-freight system.
Charters for large or urgent lots
Yes. The company can run extra freighter flights and charters and has repeatedly operated Pudong to Amsterdam and other sectors; large or time-critical lots can request temporary capacity, subject to carrier approval.
Our booking support
We can verify capacity, compare rates, prepare the air waybill documents and coordinate ground handling at Pudong or Hongqiao. Contact details are at the end of the page.