China's NingXia Cargo Airlines revives launch plans

Air Canada ends makeshift freighter operations

Air Canada (AC, Montréal Trudeau) says it operated its last cargo-only flight with a makeshift freighter on May 14, 2022, and will now return the aircraft to passenger service.

Flight AC7272 from Bogotá to Toronto Pearson was operated with the last makeshift converted A330-300, C-GEGC (msn 1006), a 13.2-year-old aircraft that has since been ferried via Vancouver Int'l and Seoul Incheon to Singapore Paya Lebar for conversion back into a passenger aircraft, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

Air Canada was the first airline in the world to deploy its passenger aircraft as makeshift freighters (as opposed to cargo-only flights utilising the bellyhold) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier operated the first such flight on April 18, 2020, and has, in total, deployed eleven A330-300s and B777-300(ER)s without passenger seats throughout the pandemic.

"Developing and sustaining this solution was an incredible group effort from many departments within Air Canada. These aircraft have considerably increased Air Canada's cargo capacity in time of need. It is with mixed emotions...

China's Ningxia Cargo Airlines scrubs launch plans

China's Ningxia Cargo Airlines on track for late 3Q launch

NingXia Cargo Airlines (HT, Yinchuan) has completed its AOC certification with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in time for a September launch.

Quoting local media outlets, China's WCARN news says the freight start-up's fleet of three ex-Loong Air (GJ, Hangzhou) B737-300(F)s - B-2954 (msn 27518), B-2949 (msn 27372), and B-2584 (msn 25891) - will exit the paint shop in August.

Ningxia plans to operate domestic and international freight flights using a fleet of B737s and B747s. In the long term, it hopes to expand its fleet to fifty aircraft plying a route network that encompasses China, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

China's Ningxia Cargo Airlines begins certification

NingXia Cargo Airlines (HT, Yinchuan) commenced certification with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on May 8 the WCARN news portal has reported.

Based in the Ningxia Autonomous Region, the cargo carrier's shareholders include Shan'xi Tongyang Investment Management (53%) and Xi'an Huijie Logistics Co. (44%) with the remaining 3% shared among the Shannxi Xiangyu Logistics Co., Shanghai Chongda International Freight Co., and Shan'xi International Air Freight.

With a registered capital of CNY120 million (USD19.3 million), Ningxia will operate domestic cargo and mail flights using a trio of B737-300(F)s - B-2954 (msn 27518), B-2949 (msn 27372), and B-2584 (msn 25891) - acquired from Loong Air (GJ, Hangzhou).