YTO Express Airlines Takes Off in Hangzhou, China

China's YTO Express Airlines Co., Ltd. (YG), a new all-freighter carrier set up in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province by Shanghai YTO Express Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. (YTO Express Group), has officially commenced air cargo operations, with a white Boeing 737-300 freighter taking off from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) at 11:30 p.m. on September 26.

The start-up carrier held a grand inaugural ceremony in Hangzhou city, with attendances of Mr. Gao Hongfeng, President of China Express Association, Mr. Wang Wenhai, Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Postal Administration and Mr. Zhu Zhoulong, Deputy Administrator of the CAAC East China Regional Administration.

The 737-300F returned to Hangzhou airport at 4:30 a.m., September 27, after completing the round-trip inaugural Hangzhou-Chengdu flight.

The launch of YTO Airline marks the first express delivery carrier based in East China and helps write a new chapter in the development history of Zhejiang's civil aviation industry. Meanwhile, YTO follows in the footsteps of China Post and Shenzhen-based SF Express to operate its own airline, which will make domestic express industry battle competition from the ground into the air.

The start-up carrier welcomed its first 737-300 freighter (Registration B-2505) at Hangzhou airport with Chinese characters "Taobao website" painted on the body. The second and third 737-300F joined the fleet of YTO Airlines in early July, which are expected to be put into operation in November and December.

In May 2015, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group announced a strategic investment in YTO Express.

Besides, YTO Airlines has signed a purchase agreement with Boeing Co. for 15 Boeing 737-800BCFs (Boeing Converted Freighter) on President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States. Following the signing of this LCA, YTO Airlines becomes the launch customer for the 737-800BCF.

YTO applied for an operating certificate in 2013 and in mid-2014 its wish was granted when the CAAC approved the application. The carrier is licensed to provide domestic as well international air cargo services, using Boeing 737-300F aircraft. In March 2015, YTO Airlines launched inaugural charter service on Shanghai-Seoul-Qingdao-Shanghai route.

Hangzhou YTO Express Airlines was set up with a total registered capital of 400 million yuan, in which YTO Express Group invested 360 million yuan for a 90% stake, with two individuals holding a 5% stake of 20 million yuan each.

China's largest private delivery services firm, SF Express (O3) launched express services in 2010 in Shenzhen and now operates a mixed fleet of 22 737Fs and 757Fs, while China Postal Airlines (CF) currently operates a fleet of 22 freighters including 14 737-300Fs, eight 737-400s.