China Southern to join SkyTeam Cargo

China Southern Airlines plans to join SkyTeam Cargo this year, Senior VP-Cargo Luo Laijun announced during the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Vancouver. The Guangzhou-based carrier would be the first Chinese airline to join a global cargo alliance and is expected to gain full membership by November. "Since its passenger membership into the SkyTeam alliance on Nov. 15, 2007, China Southern Cargo has been working to narrow the gap in all areas between itself and the alliance," Luo said, citing efforts in safety auditing, fleet renewal and expansion, hub development, service improvement, IT and branding. CZ Cargo operates two 747-400Fs and two 777-200Fs from Shanghai Pudong to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Chicago O'Hare. It plans to add four more 777-200Fs by the end of 2011 and launch new service to Vienna, New York JFK, Dallas/Fort Worth and other major destinations in Europe and North America from both PVG and Guangzhou Baiyun. SkyTeam Cargo currently comprises the cargo arms of AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM and Korean Air.