ximhan @126.com

    ON Dec. 15, 2012, a woman named Xiao Fang, a sales supervisor with an international cargo shipment agent, received an order from overseas for Christmas gifts and products. The products, totaling 420 pieces, weighed 12,500 kg and were 35 cubic meters in size. They were required to be shipped to Kiev, capital of Ukraine, before Dec. 21. Xiao Fang was excited about receiving such a big order, but she was worried about the deadline. The client not only gave a strict deadline, but also reduced the transportation budget, which is 20 percent lower than what was offered in previous transactions. On one hand, the client demanded high quality and efficient transportation services, and on the other hand, they requested lower transport costs in a way that would maintain his profit margin as the economies in European countries were struggling. Xiao Fang contacted several airline companies including China Southern Airlines. The marketing employees of the cargo department with China Southern Airlines Shenzhen Company visited Xiao Fang and offered her a favorable fare through “One Bill One Bargain” mechanism.

    As there is no direct air cargo route between Shenzhen and Ukraine, the cargo would need to have several stopovers. The Shenzhen company calculated that the route Shenzhen-Pudong-Amsterdam-Kiev could see the cargo reach its destination in five days.

    On the section between the route of Pudong and Amsterdam, China Southern Airlines used its latest 777-200 cargo plane and on the section between Amsterdam and Kiev, the airline completed the final leg using the berth of Ukraine Airlines through Special Proportion Agreement (SPA).

    While the cargo was being transported, the cargo service department continuously traced its progress and informed Xiao Fang of the latest progress by email or phone. The cargo arrived at the destination before the deadline and the buyer was able to pick up the goods on time.

    In December, the cargo service of China Southern Airlines Shenzhen Company was very busy as Christmas approached. Batches of cargo were dispatched to their destinations through a series of complicated procedures including spacing booking, customs declaration, trans-shipment, assortment, and delivery notification.

    China Southern Airlines Shenzhen Company started its international cargo service in 2006, the first airlines in Shenzhen to tap the international cargo market.

    Taking advantage of its extensive air route network, it developed transit shipment businesses which cover more than 50 countries and regions including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna, Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Sydney, Melbourne, Dubai and Novosibirsk through its transit ports in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and Urumqi. The cargo service of China Southern Airlines Shenzhen Company has gained a good reputation and stable market share in Shenzhen through years of meticulous cultivation. It has also established routes to Europe, North America, Central Asia, Middle East, East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia.

    Due to the internationalization of Shenzhen, the international cargo service of China Southern Airlines Shenzhen Company is shifting from product-oriented to customer-oriented. The cargo service department of the company has always been sticking to the marketing motto that its service is guided by customers’ needs. The company arranges the best flights, the most convenient transit hubs, offers superior space booking guarantee and more accurate cargo inquires, efficient assortment to cultivate the international cargo market in Shenzhen.

    1European route:

    The route to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Vienna via Shanghai is carried out by Boeing 777-200 cargo flight. It has 12 flights a week and the ground transportation service is operated by Wallenborn and JDR whose network covers nearly 30 countries and regions in Europe.

    2North America Route:

    The route to Chicago, Los Angeles and Vancouver via Shanghai is carried out by Boeing 747-400. It has 10 flights a week and the ground service is operated by 3A and Jet Airways whose network covers nearly 80 cities in the United States and Canada.

    3Central Asia Route:

    It includes eight routes to Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan, Novosibirsk and Islamabad.

    4Middle East Route:

    The route starts from Guangzhou and transits in Urumqi to Dubai. The first and second legs of the route involve a wide-body aircraft.

    5East Asia/Southeast Asia Route:

    Cargo can be transferred to East Asian and Southeast Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines through transit in Guangzhou.

    6Australia Route:

    Cargo can be transferred to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Oakland through transit in Guangzhou. The route has gained popularity among cargo agents since it was initiated.