Latest news with #AirSilkRoad
Business Wire
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
CEA's Broader Expansion Into Italy Opens a New Chapter of China-Italy Aviation Cooperation
MILAN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--China Eastern Airlines (CEA) held a promotional event in Milan, Italy on July 3, 2025, for its new direct Milan-Shanghai route. CEA Chairman Mr. Wang Zhiqing attended and addressed at the event. "This new route is not merely an aerial bridge connecting two great cities," said Mr. Wang. "It also embodies both Chinese and Italian people's aspirations for further exchanges and cooperation. We strive to provide convenient, efficient, and comfortable services and make every flight more enjoyable." During his visit to Italy, Mr. Wang had high-level meetings with key representatives from the Italian aviation industry. Among them were Mr. Salvatore Burrafato, President of GEStione Aeroporto Palermo S.p.A., Mr. Armando Brunini, CEO of Società Esercizi Aeroportuali S.p.A., and Mr. Luigi Battuello, CCO of Società Esercizi Aeroportuali S.p.A. The meetings focused on operational support for new routes, joint marketing campaigns, and collaborative backing for passenger and cargo transportation. Mr. Wang specially invited the Italian partners to attend the North Bund International Aviation Forum to be held in Shanghai this October, to lay out a blueprint for future China–Italy civil aviation cooperation. Apart from commercial cooperation, the trip also prioritizes cultural exchange. Mr. Wang met with Mr. Massimo Bray, Italian Coordinator of China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism and General Manager of the Treccani Institute. By common consent, they would collaboratively and innovatively integrate culture and aviation by hosting cultural exhibitions at airports and on board, developing unique cultural tourist routes, facilitating youth exchanges between the two nations, and offering professional support for cross-border transportation of valuable artworks. Then, they witnessed the signing of an MoU between CEA and Treccani Institute, marking a new stage in the collaboration between both bodies. CEA inaugurated two new direct flight routes between China and Italy on September 26, 2024, as part of their "Air Silk Road" expansion: Venice–Shanghai and Milan–Xi'an. Now, therefore, CEA operates five direct routes between China and Italy: from Rome, Milan, and Venice to Shanghai; Milan to Xi'an; and Rome to Wenzhou. The weekly two-way flights between China and Italy have been raised to 46, which has fostered greater economic, trade, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PACTL Partners with Ethiopian Airlines Group to Bolster China-Africa Air Cargo Gateway
Cooperation to Boost Cargo Connectivity, Terminal Cooperation and Logistics Efficiency Munich, Germany--(Newsfile Corp. - June 11, 2025) - Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd. (PACTL) and Ethiopian Airlines Group formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the transport logistic 2025 exhibition in Munich. This strategic agreement establishes a collaborative framework to strengthen the air cargo industry, optimize operational efficiency, and foster mutual growth opportunities between China and Africa. The two parties agreed to mutually designate each other as overseas air cargo terminal partners, working together to construct the Air Silk Road of the 21st century. The partnership signals a shared commitment to accelerating trade logistics between Asia and Africa through joint efforts in air cargo operations, facility development and digital innovation: Freighter efficiency enhancement: To strengthen logistics efficiency, the collaboration will streamline trade flows, prioritizing the transportation of high-demand e-commerce goods. By integrating upstream and downstream supply chains, the partnership aims to ensure faster and more reliable cargo handling. Terminal investment and collaboration: Both sides will explore joint investments in cargo facilities and promote knowledge-sharing initiatives to elevate operational standards. This includes expanding exchanges in areas such as security service management, operational excellence and digital transformation. Joint promotion and engagement: PACTL and Ethiopian Airlines Group will work together to raise international visibility for the China-Africa air cargo corridor through coordinated marketing and promotional activities from multiple perspectives. PACTL and Ethiopian Airlines partner to boost China-Africa air cargo at transport logistic 2025To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Aman Wole, Country Director China of Ethiopian Airlines, remarked: "By joining hands with PACTL, we are not only enhancing our operational capabilities but also building a more robust and resilient air cargo network between China and Africa. This partnership will enable us to better serve our customers, meet the increasing demand for air cargo services, and contribute to the economic development of both regions. We look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation with PACTL." "We are thrilled to partner with Ethiopian Airlines Group to strengthen the air cargo connectivity between China and Africa," said Carsten Hernig, Deputy General Manager VP Sales & Marketing and Production at PACTL. "This collaboration will create new momentum for air cargo development between the two regions through improved business facilitation." About PACTLShanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd. (PACTL) is a German-Chinese joint venture founded in 1999, specializing in air cargo handling at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. With shareholders including SAA Logistics Development Co., Ltd. (51%), Lufthansa Cargo AG (29%), and JHJ Logistics Management Co., Ltd. (20%), PACTL operates four terminals across two Shanghai airports, offering more than 210,000 square meters of storage and a truck service network spanning mainland China. Equipped with advanced facilities and comprehensive certifications, PACTL ensures seamless and reliable handling of diverse cargo types. Currently, PACTL serves more than 70 airline companies and over 300 forwarders, with a global network spanning five continents. PACTL's long-term trusting customer relationships and its service excellence make it one of the world's leading air cargo terminals. About Ethiopian Airlines GroupEthiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is Africa's largest aviation group and a multi-award-winning airline with a proud history spanning over 79 years. Renowned for its leadership in aviation technology, network expansion, and operational excellence, Ethiopian serves as a key connector between Africa and the rest of the world. With its main hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian operates one of the most extensive air connectivity networks in Africa, flying to over 142 international passenger and cargo destinations, including 60 cities across the continent. Guided by its motto "Bringing Africa Together and Beyond," Ethiopian continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing regional and global trade and mobility. Media ContactShea GuoPR CoordinatorShanghai Pudong Int'l Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd. (PACTL)Phone: +86-(021) 68842008*1167E-mail: 168 Suhang Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Asean increasingly pulled in opposite directions
ALL eyes are on US trade talks, but for the Asean countries, visibility on progress remains poor. This partly reflects the US administration's priority to strike deals with other larger economies including India, Japan, and China. For Asean, only preliminary talks have taken place and formal discussions are yet to happen. In the case of Thailand, it is yet to get a schedule for its first-round talks with high-level officials. Big ask from the US There are other fundamental factors at play. Where some preliminary talks have already occurred, it is unclear what the US wants exactly and officials have been trying to figure out the specific demands. Once they have a sense, a framework to pursue formal negotiations will be put together along with possible proposals. The US has made it unequivocally clear to its trading partners to clamp down on transshipments from China aiming to circumvent US tariffs. This demand is most relevant for Asean countries, but compliance will also likely be challenging. A few of them, especially Vietnam and Thailand, have benefited from these trade diversion effects since the first round of the US-China trade war and these will be difficult to reverse in the short run. Even in Singapore, where we did not see much re-routing in Trump 1.0, a surge in re-exports boosted its trade surplus to a record high in April. The concern is that this demand seems to be a hard constraint from the US. In Thailand's case, ahead of talks with the US, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reportedly ordered a tightening of the issuance of certificates of origin. But by her own admission, it will take time to resolve, likely longer than the 90-day reprieve period for tariffs which expires in early July. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up The US administration is likely bent on using negotiations with other countries to keep the pressure on China by preventing a re-routing of exports to the US via these third countries. China's calculated charm offensive At the same time, China is making its move to strengthen ties with the region, indicated by no less than President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia in April. Greater cooperation is the big buzzword from official statements. Key proposals from China include building an economic community and deepening supply chains with the region via the creation of industrial parks, special economic zones and technological corridors. Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, it also proposes fast-tracking the construction of infrastructure projects, particularly railways and an 'Air Silk Road' to improve regional connectivity. While the timeline for implementation of these initiatives remains unclear, the consistent theme across Asean to enhance trade and investment relations with China suggests these have likely been shaped by the desire for a common response to rising US protectionism. Follow-up action from China has also been swift, sending an even clearer signal to Asean leaders that its larger northern neighbour is serious in its intent. Before the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, negotiations had already been completed to implement version 3.0 of the Asean-China Free Trade Area, an initiative that President Xi was encouraging as recently as his visit. This upgrade covers new sectors such as the green and digital economy and puts greater emphasis on developing regional supply chains. The inaugural Asean-China-GCC Summit also took place last week, attended by Premier Li Qiang. Malaysia can claim the unique distinction of hosting President Xi and Premier Li back-to-back within a month. In contrast, progress among Asean countries on trade talks with the US have been slow. A pivot adds to the uncertainty In addition to the complex nature of these trade negotiations with the US and the difficulties that Asean countries face in removing non-tariff barriers and reducing transshipments, being caught in the crossfire between the US and China will likely present more challenges for the region. The difficulty in coming up with a deal with the US could encourage a pivot by these countries to trade more with China and try to substitute exports to the US. China's share in Asean's total trade is already nearly twice that of the US, so this is not inconceivable, especially with China's initiatives that could bring benefits such as more investment inflows and assistance in infrastructure roll-out. On the flip side, signs of greater economic cooperation with China could prompt the Trump administration to keep US tariffs high against the Asean countries. The upshot is that uncertainty will likely remain elevated and tariffs may go back up after July, posing more downside risks for the region's growth outlook. The writer is chief Asean economist at Nomura
RTHK
11-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Cathay to expand 'Air Silk Road' to Middle East
Cathay to expand 'Air Silk Road' to Middle East Erica Peng says Cathay's flights to Riyadh have been popular, with many travellers from the business sector. Photo: RTHK Cathay Pacific's customer travel director said the airline wants to contribute to the "Air Silk Road" by linking up with the Middle East. Erica Peng said Cathay's flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia – relaunched last October – have been quite popular, with business travellers accounting for 70 percent of the customers. She told RTHK's "Government and You" programme that the airline has other routes to the Middle East too, and it wants to bring people from the region to the mainland, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. "We see in China's partnership platform, we have more chances to explore different business opportunities," she said. "On the other hand, we can also help promote Hong Kong – that we need to tell friends from Belt and Road countries that the SAR is a tremendous global hub for them."
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudia Cargo and China Henan Aviation partner to establish a global air logistics bridge connecting Asia and the Middle East
Saudia Cargo and China Henan Aviation (CHAGC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony witnessed by His Excellency, President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Mr. Sun Shougang, Executive Vice-Governor of the Henan Provincial People's Government, and Mingachao, Chairman of China Henan Aviation Group. This strategic partnership aims to establish a robust air logistics bridge between Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, leveraging Zhengzhou and Riyadh as key interconnected hubs. The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration, encompassing route development, including launching and scaling cargo flights between Zhengzhou and Riyadh, It also includes a dual hub strategy, positioning Zhengzhou and Riyadh as strategic hubs to interconnect Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, optimizing cargo flow and reducing transit times. Furthermore, the collaboration will focus on cargo and logistics innovation, enhancing digital cargo operations, cross-border e-commerce, and sustainability initiatives to drive efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The partnership will also support airport economic zone cooperation, facilitating the integration of bonded logistics, free trade zones, and airside industries to drive trade growth and attract investment. Key aspects also include regulatory alignment, technical and financial cooperation, and exploring investment opportunities in high-tech and aviation-related sectors in Zhengzhou. Eng. Loay Mashabi, CEO and Managing Director of Saudia Cargo, said: "This MoU with CHAGC marks a significant step in Saudia Cargo's strategic expansion and our commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030. By establishing a strong air logistics bridge between Zhengzhou and Riyadh, we will unlock new opportunities for trade, facilitate the growth of e-commerce, and strengthen our position as a leading global cargo carrier. We are confident that this partnership will drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and deliver exceptional value to our customers." Chairman Zhang Mingchao from China Henan Aviation Group (CHAGC), added: "Saudi Arabia offers extensive cooperation potential in aviation and the low-altitude economy. With China Henan Aviation Group's progressively integrated aviation industrial chain, we can develop diverse collaborative models. Building on Saudia Cargo's Zhengzhou-Riyadh all-cargo route launch, our newly signed 'Dual Hub' Strategic MOU opens comprehensive strategic cooperation. China Henan Aviation Group will strengthen collaboration with Saudia Cargo to enhance the Zhengzhou-Riyadh 'Air Silk Road' under both nations' civil aviation authorities' guidance. This will strengthen air route support for bilateral trade also advance cooperation in flight simulation systems、aviation training、 aircraft leasing and etc." About Saudia Cargo: Saudia Cargo stands as a leading national cargo carrier, headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Leveraging the strategic advantage of the country's location, it serves as a highly efficient aerial bridge connecting the East and the West, seamlessly bridging continents. Our extensive reach encompasses approximately 100 airport destinations and 250 customer destinations across four continents, establishing us as a pivotal player in the global air cargo industry. With a legacy spanning over seven decades and a commitment to a 'human-first' approach, Saudia Cargo has consistently upheld its esteemed reputation as one of the world's most dynamic cargo carriers. This reputation is underpinned by a rich history of innovation and resilience. Our robust alliance with SkyTeam Cargo, the world's largest consortium of air cargo carriers, connects us to an impressive network of 150 freighter destinations in addition to nearly 800 passenger destinations worldwide. Saudia Cargo's access to a modern fleet of Boeing freighter aircraft expedites the transportation of diverse cargo types, including e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, high-value shipments, hazardous materials, and perishables. The company's enduring dedication to humanity, reliability, and agility has been instrumental in driving its remarkable growth trajectory, which continues to expand significantly. About: China Henan Aviation Group China Henan Aviation Group is a large-scale aviation industry group established by the Henan Provincial Government, serving as one of the main builders of China's "Air Silk Road". The business covers eight major sectors including aviation investment, airport operations, air cargo transport, air passenger transport, low-altitude economy, aviation services, aviation maintenance and manufacturing, and aviation infrastructure. The group holds a 35% stake in Cargolux and owns China's fifth-largest dedicated cargo airport、 Henan's only locally based all-cargo airline、the largest flight simulator training center in Central China and the country's largest general aviation fleet with the most extensive operational coverage.
