Responding to the surging e-commerce demand, Air China Cargo and Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics arm, launched a new route to speed up delivery times between China and Europe. The first B777 full freighter landed at Belgium’s Liege Airport on 13 August, according to a press release.

Through its eHub at Liege Airport, Cainiao wants to “improve overall logistics efficiency and expand its line-haul network in a bid to deliver globally within 72 hours.” 

Air China Cargo will operate three flights each week from Hangzhou to Liege with Madrid as the final destination. 

“Hangzhou-LGG is the next step for the expansion of the Air China Cargo operation. This cooperation will greatly benefit Cainiao Network to further bring down cross-border delivery times. Liege Airport Cargo community welcomes more #freightersfirst and connectivity,” said Steven Verhasselt, VP-commercial at Liege Airport.