The launch of flight operations of Henan Cargo Airlines (Zhengzhou), a joint-venture between Cargolux, Henan Civil Aviation and Investment Co. (HNCA), Henan Airport Group and Xinggang Investment Group, will not happen this year due to the lengthy certification procedures and will most likely commence activities only in the third quarter of 2019, Cargolux CEO Richard Forson has told The Loadstar.
"We are working on it. We are talking with local branches of the aviation authorities in China about any additional requirements. One of the questions is to what extent the airline would have to have Chinese pilots? – there is a significant shortage in China. And there are other technical issues," Forson has said.
While the carrier may be technically ready to launch earlier in 2019, Forson would rather avoid commencing operations in the low season.
The carrier, formerly known as Cargolux China, was established in 2017 with the Luxembourgish carrier holding a 25% stake, the maximum permissible for a foreign entity under the Chinese law.
Forson has also heralded the performance of the carrier's new hub at Zhengzhou, which is becoming an appealing alternative to overcrowded Shanghai Pudong for an increasing number of freight operators.
He has added that the carrier's future growth in China will depend to a large extent on the development of the US-China trade relations, which are now threatened by the risk of a trade war.
Cargolux itself is 35%-owned by HNCA.
