Company profile
Cargolux is a European all-cargo carrier founded on March 4, 1970, which started operations with the Canadair CL-44; it is headquartered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with Luxembourg Findel airport (LUX) as its main hub. Carrier codes are IATA CV, ICAO CLX and radio callsign CARGOLUX, with the cargo website at cargolux.com. Cargolux operates as a pure cargo airline, its fleet consists entirely of Boeing 747 freighters, and it is one of the few carriers worldwide still operating 747 freighters, with a long-haul intercontinental network covering the main cargo markets of Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
On ownership and the China connection, Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group (HNCA) took a 35% stake in Cargolux in spring 2014; other major shareholders include Luxair and Luxembourg financial and public investors. On that basis Cargolux made Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) its second hub outside Europe, creating a Zhengzhou to Luxembourg twin-hub structure regarded as a representative cargo channel of the China-Europe air silk road. Zhengzhou handles about a tenth of the airline's total cargo volume and is the core node of its Asian network.
On fleet and capacity, Cargolux operates about 30 Boeing 747 freighters, a mix of 747-8F and 747-400F, with a nose door that opens upward to load overlong and irregular cargo. It has ordered 10 Boeing 777-8F next-generation freighters to replace older 747-400Fs progressively, which will further improve long-haul capacity and fuel efficiency. For Chinese shippers the core value is the twin-hub structure: cargo from central and eastern China is consolidated at Zhengzhou and flown to Luxembourg, then distributed across Europe and onward to North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa.
In China the airline uses Zhengzhou as its hub, Shanghai as a high-frequency point, Xiamen as a fixed destination and Hong Kong as a gateway. Beyond scheduled freighter points it runs a trucking network covering more than thirty Chinese cities, extending from Zhengzhou to Chengdu, Guangzhou, Changsha, Dalian and Changchun, so shippers in inland cities without a direct freighter can still reach the Zhengzhou hub by truck. Cargo from China connects at LUX to major European cities on one waybill and across the ocean to North and South American points.
On cargo mix, the eastbound leg carries mainly electronics and IT products, high-value industrial goods, auto parts, cross-border e-commerce and cold-chain commodities; the westbound leg carries high-end manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals, perishables and special cargo from Europe and across the Atlantic. Cargolux refuels with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Zhengzhou and was the first foreign airline to take SAF in China, which matters to Chinese exporters with green logistics and sustainable supply chain requirements. Capacity, loading conditions and SAF arrangements at each gateway are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
International air services connecting from China
Cargolux serves China from four points, Zhengzhou CGO, Shanghai Pudong PVG, Xiamen XMN and Hong Kong HKG, distributing through the Luxembourg LUX hub across Europe and onward to North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. In Europe, LUX connects to Luxembourg itself and to major industrial and consumer markets in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, covering central European manufacturing supply chains and European import e-commerce. Across the Atlantic, LUX or the wider network connects to major North American gateways for long-haul Chinese industrial and high-value cargo.
Toward emerging markets the long-haul network extends to major cargo points in South America, the Middle East and Africa, matching the structure of Chinese exports to those markets. For Chinese shippers this China gateway, Zhengzhou and Luxembourg twin hub, global distribution structure means cargo from central China need not travel to the coast: it is consolidated at Zhengzhou and flown straight to Europe, shortening the domestic leg; eastern China cargo flies from Shanghai to Luxembourg, and southern China cargo connects through the Hong Kong gateway. Westbound, European high-end manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals, perishables and special cargo return to China on the same channel.
On cargo fit, oversized pieces, out-of-gauge heavy cargo and project equipment can use the 747 nose door for direct flights from Zhengzhou; temperature-controlled and pharmaceutical cargo can use the carrier's temperature-controlled product line; live animals and high-value goods follow dedicated procedures. Shippers in second-tier Chinese cities can consolidate through the Zhengzhou trucking network, with cargo from Chengdu, Guangzhou, Changsha and elsewhere trucked to CGO and loaded on a freighter. Actual payload, capacity and connections are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| European hub deconsolidation and distribution | Luxembourg LUX, extending to Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and others | Chinese cargo flies direct from Zhengzhou or Shanghai to Luxembourg and is distributed to major European cities the same or next day |
| Transatlantic extension | Major North American cargo gateways | Long-haul connections to North America via the European hub, suited to intercontinental movement of high-value industrial goods |
| Emerging markets | Major points in South America, the Middle East and Africa | Covers Chinese exports to emerging markets and matches project machinery and bulk trade |
| Backhaul cargo | European high-end manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals, perishables and special cargo | Two-way capacity matching improves the overall economics of the China-Europe lane |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
The network from China through the Zhengzhou and Luxembourg twin hubs
The diagram shows, from a Eurasian perspective, Chinese cargo distributed through the Zhengzhou CGO and Luxembourg LUX twin hubs. Blue arcs are trunk routes from major Chinese gateways to the two hubs and lighter arcs are European and transoceanic distribution; actual points and schedules are confirmed by the carrier on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Zhengzhou and Luxembourg twin hubs
The twin-hub structure created after HNCA took its stake lets cargo from central China fly direct from Zhengzhou to Luxembourg, with a shorter domestic leg and a more direct European entry point, and the two hubs can back each other up in peak season.
An all-747 freighter fleet
The fleet is entirely Boeing 747 freighters, whose nose door suits overlong and irregular cargo; long-haul intercontinental operation is mature and single-aircraft payload is high, which suits batch heavy cargo and project equipment.
Zhengzhou trucking network
A trucking network from Zhengzhou to more than thirty cities including Chengdu, Guangzhou, Changsha, Dalian and Changchun lets inland shippers reach a CGO freighter by short road haul instead of traveling to a coastal gateway.
Out-of-gauge expertise
It has carried out-of-gauge pieces over forty tonnes and ten-meter shafts; the 747 nose door and terminal experience with special loads suit Chinese exports of construction machinery, power equipment and other overlong, overweight pieces.
SAF uptake in China
In 2023 it became the first foreign airline to take sustainable aviation fuel at Zhengzhou, meeting green supply chain and carbon disclosure requirements for Chinese exporters with sustainable transport targets.
Broad global network
With Luxembourg as the hub it connects Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa, so one European gateway covers several continents and Chinese shippers can serve global customers through a single carrier channel.
Together these strengths make up the case for Cargolux: twin hubs shorten the export distance from central China, 747 freighters cover heavy and oversized cargo, the trucking network extends inland collection, SAF supports green supply chains, and the global network serves several continents through one channel. Shippers can choose the best gateway and capacity combination based on cargo attributes, destination market and sustainability requirements after assessment by us.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
The Cargolux fleet is all cargo aircraft, about 30 Boeing 747 freighters in service in a mix of 747-8F and 747-400F. The Boeing 747 freighter is known for its humped nose door that opens upward, allowing overlong, overheight and irregular cargo, and is the classic type for out-of-gauge transport, with single-aircraft payload in the hundred-tonne class, suited to long-haul intercontinental batch cargo. The airline has ordered 10 Boeing 777-8F next-generation freighters to replace older 747-400Fs gradually, improving long-haul capacity, payload and fuel efficiency.
On loading, the 747 main deck takes a large number of ULDs while retaining loose and oversized load capability; the nose door is irreplaceable for project equipment, long shafts and modular cargo. Shippers of oversized pieces must provide accurate dimensions, weight, centre of gravity and lifting requirements, and we confirm the loading plan and ULD types with the carrier. ULD dimensions and capacity allocation are matched to the aircraft on the route that day, and actual payload is confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
Boeing 747-8F
Current generation 747 freighter with the best payload and fuel efficiency in the 747 family, a nose door for overlong cargo, used mainly on the Zhengzhou and Shanghai to Luxembourg long-haul trunk.
Boeing 747-400F
Classic 747 freighter with mature long-haul operation, to be retired progressively as 777-8Fs arrive; it still carries batch cargo from China to Europe during the transition.
Boeing 777-8F (on order)
Next-generation twin-engine widebody freighter included in the fleet renewal plan; once delivered it replaces older 747-400Fs and improves long-haul capacity and carbon performance from China. Routes will follow carrier announcements.
Trucking capacity
A road-air network from Zhengzhou to more than thirty cities including Chengdu, Guangzhou, Changsha, Dalian and Changchun, extending the freighter operation on the ground so inland cargo can reach a CGO trunk flight after a short haul.
Aircraft capacity figures are compiled from manufacturers' and airlines' public data. Actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
Cargolux operates scheduled freighter points in mainland China and Hong Kong and covers more cities by truck. The table shows reference connections from major Chinese gateways; times are local, schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
| China origin ports | Connecting hub | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhengzhou Xinzheng CGO | Luxembourg LUX | Freighter (second Asia-Pacific hub) | Several flights a week as the main mainland China hub; times are local, schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Luxembourg LUX | Freighter | Several nonstop flights a week, mostly on weekdays; actual schedules subject to carrier confirmation |
| Xiamen XMN | Distribution via LUX | Freighter | Flights on Wednesday and Saturday; actual schedules subject to carrier confirmation |
| Hong Kong HKG | LUX and the global network | Freighter gateway | Several flights a week as the South China gateway; actual schedules subject to carrier confirmation |
| Chengdu / Guangzhou / Changsha and others | Trucking via Zhengzhou CGO | Road-air connection | Not a direct freighter point; cargo is trucked to CGO for export, with connections per the carrier's truck timetable |
The airline has operating stations in Zhengzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong; detailed office addresses are not published. Capacity and connections are confirmed by us on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives us the origin gateway, destination city in Europe or worldwide, commodity, pieces, weight and dimensions, and transit-time requirement; oversized and temperature-controlled cargo must be declared separately, and we then decide whether to ship via Zhengzhou or Shanghai.
Confirm space and rate
We book freighter capacity with the Cargolux China stations or its local cargo agents, confirming rate, ULD type, loading conditions and SAF arrangements.
Departure and twin-hub transit
Cargo tendered at CGO, PVG, XMN or HKG flies direct to Luxembourg LUX and is distributed to European and transoceanic destinations per the connection plan; inland cargo is first trucked to Zhengzhou.
Return leg and special cargo
European high-end manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals and special cargo can be booked on the return leg; oversized pieces, live animals and dangerous goods follow dedicated procedures with loadability confirmed at the instruction stage.
During booking, overweight pieces, out-of-gauge cargo, temperature-controlled cargo, live animals and dangerous goods must be declared at the instruction stage so we can confirm loading conditions, lifting plans and ULD types. Flight times are local, schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking. Before booking we give the shipper a list of rate, capacity and loading conditions and complete the booking once confirmed; urgent cargo can request priority capacity, subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
Oversized and out-of-gauge cargo.Using the Boeing 747 nose door and terminal experience with special loads, Cargolux has carried out-of-gauge pieces over forty tonnes and ten-meter shafts, which suits Chinese exports of construction machinery, power equipment and rail transit components to Europe and worldwide.
Temperature control and pharmaceutical transport.The carrier offers temperature-controlled products and pharma-related capability, suited to Chinese biopharma companies importing and exporting vaccines, reagents and active ingredients; the whole journey is handled within a temperature band with recording and monitoring.
Live animal transport.Cargolux has experience with live animals, handled under IATA live animals rules, which suits Chinese imports and exports of breeding stock, pets and show animals; capacity and container requirements must be declared in advance.
Sustainable aviation fuel.In 2023 Cargolux became the first foreign airline to take SAF at Zhengzhou in China, and Chinese exporters can use the service to meet green supply chain and carbon disclosure requirements, which suits brands with emission reduction targets.
Zhengzhou trucking consolidation.A trucking network from Zhengzhou to more than thirty cities lets inland cargo from Chengdu, Guangzhou, Changsha, Dalian and Changchun reach a CGO freighter by short haul, cutting the cost of traveling to a coastal gateway.
High-end manufacturing equipment on the return leg.Return cargo from Europe is mainly high-end manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals and special cargo of high value, suited to Chinese importers booking the reverse direction, arriving in Zhengzhou or Shanghai through the same Luxembourg channel for domestic distribution.
Transoceanic long-haul connections.With Luxembourg as the gateway to North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa, Chinese shippers can serve customers on several continents through one carrier channel, reducing multiple connections and repeat tendering.
High-value and e-commerce cargo.Electronics and IT products, cross-border e-commerce parcels and high-value industrial goods suit the high-frequency Zhengzhou and Shanghai services; peak-season space can be secured in advance and urgent cargo can request priority capacity.
China contact
Cargolux has operating stations at Zhengzhou CGO, Shanghai PVG and Hong Kong HKG as its China cargo nodes, and its global offices cover more than fifty countries; detailed office addresses for the China stations are not published, so contact its local agent in China or work through us. Cargo status, flight schedules and product information can be checked at cargolux.com; actual schedules and office details follow the carrier's latest publication.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, handles air freight from major Chinese gateways to Luxembourg and European countries and onward through Luxembourg to North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa, covering booking at the Chinese gateway, Zhengzhou trucking consolidation, Luxembourg transit distribution and special cargo on the return leg, and can help Chinese shippers reach Cargolux China sales for current capacity, schedules and SAF information.