Air China Cargo tracking

Air freight and goods transport in Asia

Air China Cargo is the dedicated air freight branch of Air China, the national airline of the People's Republic of China. This cargo subsidiary, created in 2003 to meet the growing demand for cargo transport, has established itself as one of the leading freight carriers in Asia. It enjoys a strong presence in the global cargo industry thanks to its key role in the transportation of goods between China and the rest of the world.

Its sustained development has enabled it to reliably connect Asian markets to other continents, thus contributing to the growth of global trade exchanges.

With its constant commitment to punctuality and reliability, the company has gained the trust of a vast clientele (whether large industrial companies or online commerce platforms). Air China Cargo thus continues to be an essential player in air cargo transport, supporting the dynamics of international trade through the reach of its network and the quality of its services.

Fleet

Air China Cargo operates a modern fleet exclusively composed of cargo aircraft. It is mainly centered around Boeing wide-body aircraft, notably the Boeing 747-400F and the Boeing 777F, known for their large cargo capacity and long range. For example, a Boeing 747-400F can transport several tens of tons of goods in a single flight, allowing Air China Cargo to transport the equivalent of the cargo of many trucks on a single air route. These aircraft enable the company to transport large volumes of freight over long distances while ensuring excellent operational reliability.

In its quest to optimize efficiency and modernize its operations, the company also integrates new generation cargo aircraft. For instance, Air China Cargo has introduced Airbus A330-200P2F (passenger aircraft converted into freighters) to complement its fleet on medium-capacity routes. The adoption of these newer aircraft illustrates Air China Cargo's commitment to reducing fuel consumption per ton transported and offering more flexibility by adapting the type of aircraft to the needs of each route. At the same time, Air China Cargo is committed to sustainable transport by gradually adopting sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) on certain routes and optimizing the loading of its aircraft to reduce its carbon footprint.

Global Network

Thanks to its efficient long-haul fleet, Air China Cargo covers an extensive global network. The company connects major economic centers in Asia, Europe, North America, and other regions of the globe. It has established a notable presence in strategic markets such as China and Southeast Asia, the United States, Canada, Germany, and other European countries, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. This international coverage allows for effective connection of Asia to major global logistics hubs. It operates regular cargo flights on its major routes and frequently adjusts its schedule based on market demand, thus ensuring adequate capacity in all seasons for shippers.

Air China Cargo's vast network is reinforced by cooperation agreements with other airlines. These interline partnerships further expand transportation possibilities by allowing the transfer of goods to destinations beyond its own network. Thus, a shipment can easily transit from an Air China Cargo aircraft to that of a partner to reach a final destination not directly served by the company. This collaborative strategy ensures customers a truly global freight service by relying on optimized connections between carriers.

Domestically, Air China Cargo operates a dense cargo network connecting major Chinese metropolises to its sorting centers. Inland cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, or Wuhan are thus connected to platforms in Beijing or Shanghai, allowing for the consolidation of regional exports before their international shipment. This national presence ensures that goods from various provinces of China can easily use Air China Cargo's global network to reach foreign markets.

Shipping Process

The shipping process at Air China Cargo is designed to ensure comprehensive and efficient handling of each cargo, from origin to final destination. It all starts with freight booking and registration: the customer provides the shipment details and obtains allocated space on a cargo flight. At the departure airport, Air China Cargo teams receive the goods in their dedicated facilities. Each shipment is then inspected, secured, and consolidated if necessary, in accordance with current regulations (including security checks and export customs formalities).

Once ready to depart, the cargo is loaded onto Air China Cargo aircraft bound for the appropriate platform or directly to the final airport. Throughout the air transit phase, the goods are closely monitored thanks to the company's internal tracking systems. Upon arrival at the destination airport, Air China Cargo coordinates the unloading of the aircraft and the transfer of the cargo to temporary storage facilities. Import and customs clearance procedures are then initiated in collaboration with local authorities. After the goods are released by customs, the company organizes, if requested by the customer, the final ground transport to the recipient. Each step of the process is managed to minimize waiting times and ensure the integrity of the goods, illustrating Air China Cargo's commitment to smooth and reliable logistics.

Delivery Options

To meet the different time requirements of its customers, Air China Cargo offers several air freight delivery options. The first is the standard service, sometimes called the normal air freight service, which is an economical solution for shipping goods. This standard service is suitable for shipments where a slightly longer transit time is acceptable. It offers reliable and efficient transport to a large number of destinations, with travel times that can vary from a few days to a few weeks depending on the distance to be covered and any connections.

In parallel, for customers with speed requirements, Air China Cargo offers an express air freight service. This priority option guarantees accelerated transportation and faster delivery of shipments compared to the standard service. The express service is specially designed for urgent or time-sensitive goods, where every hour saved is crucial. As part of this service, Air China Cargo makes every effort to reduce layover times and prioritize urgent cargo, allowing for significantly shorter transit times (ranging from a few hours to a few days depending on the destination). Regardless of the chosen option, the company is committed to meeting agreed deadlines and ensuring the safety of goods throughout the transport. This choice between standard and express service offers shippers the flexibility to opt for either an economical or accelerated solution, depending on their requirements.

Air Freight Pricing

The rates applied by Air China Cargo for air freight transport are established based on several parameters. The weight and volume of the goods are determining factors: pricing is generally based on the so-called "chargeable" weight, which corresponds to the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight of the shipment. Non-standard dimensions or the particular nature of the goods shipped can also influence the cost, as well as the distance between the origin and the destination.

Other elements come into play in establishing the price of a shipment. The selected delivery option (standard or express) impacts the rate, as do any additional services required by the customer. For example, additional fees may apply for services such as customs clearance, freight insurance, special handling (for fragile, perishable, or dangerous goods requiring special precautions), or temporary storage. Market conditions, including fuel prices or security surcharges, may lead to periodic tariff adjustments. Given the complexity and variability of these factors, Air China Cargo provides precise rate quotes only on a case-by-case basis. Customers are thus invited to contact the company or its authorized agents directly to obtain a personalized quote, in line with the nature of their shipment and the planned itinerary. This approach ensures a fair and updated rate for each shipment.

Specialized Services

Aware that each category of goods may require special attention, Air China Cargo has developed specialized services to better meet the specific needs of certain types of shipments. With in-depth expertise and staff trained in special handling, the company is able to transport non-standard or sensitive cargo under optimal safety and reliability conditions.

Among these services, we can mention the transportation of perishable products under controlled temperature: Air China Cargo has the freshCAre solution dedicated to the freshness of foodstuffs, flowers, or other quickly perishable goods, ensuring a continuous cold chain throughout the journey. Similarly, the transport of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and medical products is handled via the coolCAre service, which guarantees the maintenance of required thermal conditions and compliance with the strict standards of this sector. Some of Air China Cargo's facilities are also certified according to IATA CEIV Pharma standards, ensuring compliance for the transport of health products. For high-value goods or those requiring increased protection (such as high-end electronic equipment, works of art, or jewelry), Air China Cargo offers the secureCAre option, characterized by enhanced security measures, special tracking, and assured discretion throughout the logistics chain. The company also has experience in transporting live animals, ensuring their well-being during the journey in accordance with international regulations (approved containers, ventilation conditions, accompaniment if necessary). Finally, in response to the rise of e-commerce requiring ever shorter deadlines, Air China Cargo leverages its expressCAre service and its entire network to efficiently transport e-commerce shipments, even in large volumes, within optimized timeframes. All of these specialized services demonstrate Air China Cargo's ability to tailor its services to the nature of the cargo, thus offering its customers customized solutions.

The handling of dangerous goods, such as certain chemical materials, flammable substances, or lithium batteries, is also part of Air China Cargo's expertise. The company scrupulously applies international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods as defined by IATA, relating to this type of sensitive freight. Its certified staff ensures that these risky shipments are properly packaged, labeled, and documented, and that their transport is carried out safely from departure to arrival.

Partnerships

Air China Cargo relies on various strategic partnerships to expand its capabilities and enhance its service offering. Internationally, the company has formed alliances with other air freight carriers, allowing it to exchange capacities and offer its customers additional destinations outside its initial network. A major collaboration has been established with Cathay Pacific Airways as part of a cargo joint venture, strengthening Air China Cargo's presence on the Hong Kong platform and the Asia-Pacific region. Such alliances contribute to harmonizing operations between partner companies and facilitating the transit of goods from one network to another. Furthermore, Air China Cargo is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), thus committing to comply with global industry standards and participate in joint initiatives aimed at improving air freight efficiency.

In parallel, Air China Cargo works closely with key ground logistics players. The company collaborates with handling agents at the airports it serves to ensure efficient cargo handling during stopovers and transits. It also partners with freight forwarders and road transport companies to offer end-to-end transportation solutions. Thanks to these partnerships, a customer can entrust Air China Cargo with the complete management of their shipment: from the initial pickup of the goods, through air transport, to final distribution, benefiting from a single point of contact. This integrated approach enhances the fluidity of the logistics chain and ensures better coordination between the different stages of transport.

Logistics Infrastructure

To support its global operations, Air China Cargo has a robust and well-developed logistics infrastructure. Its headquarters and main cargo operations center are located in Beijing, at Beijing Capital International Airport, which serves as the main hub for the company. It operates warehouses and specialized handling facilities there to process the large volumes of freight transiting through this major hub. In addition, Air China Cargo has established other strategic bases in China, notably at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Guangzhou, to deconcentrate its traffic and optimize service to the south and east of the country.

Air China Cargo's infrastructure includes freight terminals equipped with modern technologies for the management and tracking of goods. Temperature-controlled areas are available to store perishable or pharmaceutical products in transit. Enhanced security devices (video surveillance, access control, X-ray scanners) are in place to ensure the safety of shipments, particularly those of high value or sensitive nature. Furthermore, the company has invested in efficient information systems that connect its operations worldwide: the computerized tracking of shipments, cargo flight management, and communication with customs are centralized to gain efficiency and transparency. Air China Cargo has embraced the digitization of documentary processes: the use of the electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) is now widespread, simplifying formalities and reducing administrative processing times.

Air China Cargo also ensures that it has competent local teams at each of its operational sites. These regional teams oversee the loading, unloading, and transfer of freight on-site, in close connection with the centralized control center in Beijing. This operational control center, active 24/7, coordinates all of the company's cargo flights in real-time, allowing for efficient resource management and quick response in case of contingencies such as adverse weather conditions or unforeseen airport constraints. This decentralized organization, supported by a solid infrastructure, ensures the smooth flow of goods and the punctuality of deliveries, even on a complex global network. In summary, Air China Cargo's logistics infrastructure forms the backbone that supports all of its transport services, combining field presence, adapted facilities, and cutting-edge technological tools.

Shipment Tracking

To offer transparency and assurance to its customers, Air China Cargo provides an efficient tracking system for each shipment. As soon as a shipment is registered, a unique tracking number is assigned to it. This tracking number is usually composed of a sequence of letters and numbers. For example, the company's code "CA" is often placed as a prefix to the number: for example: CA123456789 - although the exact format may vary. It allows for the identification and tracking of the cargo throughout its journey. By entering this number on Air China Cargo's online platform, customers can access updated information regarding the status and location of their goods.

Air China Cargo's traceability system is fed in real-time by scans and operational data collected at each key stage of transport. From the pickup of the shipment at the origin, through its departure on a flight, any stopovers, to its arrival at the destination and final delivery, each status change is recorded. Thus, both the sender and the recipient can track the progress of the shipment and be alerted in case of unforeseen events or delays. This real-time tracking offers complete visibility over the logistics chain and contributes to the reliability of the service. Below are some commonly displayed tracking statuses during the transit of an Air China Cargo shipment: