Raya Airways starts B767 freighter services to Nanning

by Payload Asia

Raya Airways is now the first Malaysian cargo airline to offer freighter services to the southern Chinese city of Nanning in Guangxi, China.

The airline will fly four times a week and expects to carry e-commerce products and consumer goods, including perishable items, offering an average weekly load of 30 tonnes up to 40 tonnes, using Boeing 767-200F aircraft.

The Malaysian carrier says it plans expand its network to more destinations within Asia Pacific, including within China and other countries later this year.

“We are thrilled to expand our logistics solutions and time-definite services into China, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing air-cargo markets,” said Mohamad Najib Ishak, group managing director.

“With Nanning being the gateway to Asean and increasing crossborder e-commerce goods being transported from China into the Southeast Asian markets, this route expansion is timely and will support the increasing demand of cargo services from consumers and merchants, while offering us with an opportunity to create and provide a seamless logistics network driven by efficient service,” he added.

Also read: Malaysia’s newest cargo airline starts scheduled charters

The airline plans more new routes in the months ahead as it increases its interconnecting network of destinations to support businesses during the pandemic.

“As one of the key enablers in the supply chain ecosystem, our role is to establish connections and options for our customers. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, freight transportation has become increasingly significant, and it is integral that we continue to strengthen our expansion plan into new markets.

Raya Airways connects and operates scheduled air cargo services into major regional hubs, including China, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong, as well as Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Labuan.

It currently has four cargo aircraft in its fleet, including a 737-4F (23 years) and two 767-200Fs over 30 years. It is expecting another 767-200F, which according to Planespotters, is still in storage.