China Southern Airlines has boosted cargo capacity to Europe and North America with the introduction of two B777 jets to enhance its services on the European and United States routes, which include two new routes linking Shanghai with Frankfurt and Chicago. The carrier will introduce four more B777s by 2011 to raise its cargo fleet toeight, including two B747 freighters.

Frankfurt is an important cargo destination as Germany’s exports to China account for 43 per cent of the European Union and its imports from China account for 21 per cent, while the cargo volume on the Shanghai to Chicago route accounts for 30 per cent of the total cargo volume departing from the Chinese city.