Cainiao Network has expanded its partnership with air cargo operator Atlas Air and will operate daily charter flights  to support the growth of cross-border trade between China and Latin America.

The ecommerce logistics players says its weekly cargo volume from China to South America has increased 144 percent compared to last October since the daily flights began.

The initial agreement between the two companies was three chartered flights per week, and with the new deal, Atlas will deploy another B747-400F to fly between Hong Kong, China and Santiago, Chile. Atlas now operates five aircraft for the Alibaba logistics unit.

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The two partners started operating flights to Latin America in October last year, with three weekly dedicated charter flights connecting Hong Kong with Brazil and Chile.

Cainiao says the ‘upgraded’ partnership with Atlas will enhance its South America network, which has already increased overall warehouse distribution and air freight efficiency by over 40 percent.

It also plans to establish a distribution centre in Brazil to offer next-day or even same-day delivery in partnership with local delivery firms.