
Jade Cargo International operated flights to several destinations in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The airline's route network spanned across 13 countries, including China, Germany, and the United States.
Jade Cargo International's primary hub was in Hangzhou, China, and it also operated flights from other Chinese cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou. The airline's routes connected major cities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.
Jade Cargo International's fleet consisted of Boeing 747-400ERF and 747-400F freighter aircraft, which were used to transport cargo and freight. These aircraft were equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient and secure transportation of goods.
The airline's routes and destinations were strategically chosen to cater to the needs of international trade and commerce, with a focus on transporting high-value and oversized cargo.
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Company History
Jade Cargo International was established in October 2004, marking a significant milestone in the history of cargo airlines in China.
The airline was co-owned by Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo, and DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, a subsidiary of German state-owned bank KfW. Shenzhen Airlines had a 51% stake, while Lufthansa Cargo and DEG had 25% and 24% stakes respectively.
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Jade Cargo International started operations in August 2006, making it the first cargo airline in China with foreign ownership.
At its peak, the airline employed 350 people, as of March 2009.
The airline operated for about five years before it flew its last scheduled flight, JI7466 from Frankfurt (FRA) to Shanghai (PVG), via Shenyang (SHE), on December 25, 2011.
A few days later, on December 31, 2011, Jade Cargo International officially grounded its fleet, citing a combination of lack of demand and extended discussions with its owners.
The airline's service was suspended for several weeks, during which time its owners were searching for new funding through UniTop Group.
However, UniTop eventually withdrew its Letter of Intent (LOI) for the restructuring plans in May 2012.
This led to the closure of the airline, which was officially announced on June 4, 2012, marking the end of an era for Jade Cargo International.
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Operations and Services
Jade Cargo International's operations were centered in Hong Kong, with its main hub at Hong Kong International Airport.
The airline operated a fleet of Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A300-600F aircraft, which were used to transport cargo on a variety of routes.
Jade Cargo International's services included scheduled and charter cargo flights, as well as freight forwarding and logistics services.
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Reorganizes, Will Fly

Jade Cargo International reorganizes, will fly again. The airline suspended operations on December 31, 2011, due to financial issues.
The restructuring was made possible by a Letter of Intent signed between Jade Cargo's shareholders and the UniTop Group, a fast-growing logistics and transportation company based in Shenzhen.
This partnership will help Jade Cargo strengthen its position in the international air cargo market, benefiting all stakeholders involved. The airline's owners, Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo, and DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, will see their percentages change as a result of the restructuring.
Jade Cargo's fleet is based at Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, China, and the airline has a total of six Boeing 747-400ERF freighters, with a third one due for delivery in February 2007.
Suspends Operations
Jade Cargo International suspended all cargo operations in 2011 due to weak air cargo demand.
The suspension provided an opportunity for the company's shareholders to restructure its financial structure.

Jade Cargo International was established in October 2004 and is co-owned by Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo, and DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH.
Shenzhen Airlines holds a 51% stake in the company, while Lufthansa Cargo and DEG each hold 25% and 24% stakes, respectively.
Cargo operations began on August 5, 2006.
Fleet and Destinations
Jade Cargo International's fleet consisted of Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft, with a total of 6 planes in operation as of November 2011.
The airline's fleet was based at Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, China, and was used to serve various destinations.
One of the notable aircraft in the fleet was the Boeing 747-400ERF, which was used for both domestic and international flights.
Here is a list of some of the aircraft in the fleet as of June 2015:
- Boeing 747-400ERF with 2 planes in fleet, disposed to CAL Cargo Air Lines
- Boeing 747-400ERF with 2 planes in fleet, disposed to SF Airlines
- Boeing 747-400ERF with 1 plane in fleet, disposed to AirBridgeCargo
- Boeing 747-400ERF with 1 plane in fleet, disposed to Southern Air
The airline operated flights to several destinations, including Amsterdam, Dubai, Hanoi, and more.
Destinations
Jade Cargo International has a significant presence in Asia, with regular flights to Osaka in Japan, where the airline operates three weekly flights from Shenzhen.

The airline's services also extend to the Netherlands, with Amsterdam being one of its main hubs, serving the city four times a week.
In addition to its Asian and European routes, Jade Cargo International also serves destinations in the Middle East, including Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The airline's fleet is based at Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, China, and has a total of six Boeing 747-400ERF freighters, which will enter service successively until January 2008.
Jade Cargo International has a strong presence in Europe, with regular flights to several cities in Germany, including Cologne, Hannover, Leipzig, and Munich.
Fleet
The fleet of Jade Cargo International was a key part of its operations. As of June 2015, the airline had 2 Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft in its fleet, which were later disposed of to CAL Cargo Air Lines and SF Airlines.
Jade Cargo International also had 3 other Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft in its fleet, which were disposed of to AirBridgeCargo and Southern Air. This shows that the airline had a mix of aircraft from different operators.

The airline's fleet was made up entirely of Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft as of November 2011, with a total of 6 aircraft in service at that time.
Here's a breakdown of the airline's fleet as of June 2015:
Jade International
Jade International had a relatively short existence, being founded in 2006 and shutting down in 2012.
Jade Cargo International's IATA code was JI, and their ICAO code was JAE.
The airline's name was Jade Cargo International, and their call sign was JADE CARGO.
Jade Cargo International was based in Shenzhen, China, and operated out of the Shenzhen Airport.
Here are some key facts about Jade Cargo International's operations:
Jade Cargo International had a fleet of 6 aircraft, and employed around 390 people at its peak.
Their route network included both domestic and international flights.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Cargo_International
- http://www.nouahsark.com/en/infocenter/entry_and_exit/airlines/jade_cargo_international.php
- https://airlogisticsgroup.com/news/858/jade-cargo-international-start-services-osaka-barc
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Cargo_International
- https://worldairlinenews.com/tag/jade-cargo-international/
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