Media reports from China say that SF Express, the largest private express logistics company in China, is planning to build a freight hub airport in Wuhan or neighboring cities in Central China's Hubei Province. It would complement the many airport projects currently set on track in the country.
President of SF Express Group, Tu Wei reportedly told CAAC News that the logistic company is in the process of evaluating a site selection in South Central China to construct its own
airport.
According to sources, SF Express has already selected a location of its own hub and airport, which is expected to be built at Yanji, a town about 75 km east of Wuhan in Hubei province. If so, it
would be the first freight hub in Asia and the fourth in the world.
Growing freighter fleet
SF Express currently operates a freighter fleet of twelve 757-200Fs, three 737-400Fs, and seven 737-300Fs with four additional 757-200Fs expected to join the fleet, plus an outstanding order for
four more.
The cargo carrier also has an order with Boeing for five 767-300 P-to-F conversions and a reported six or seven 737-300 passenger-to-freighter conversions, totaling a fleet of more than forty
aircraft. In addition to its own fleet, SF also charters or leases main-deck capacity from several Chinese carriers.
Meanwhile, a source close to the company revealed that SF Express has placed an as yet unannounced order for 25 Boeing 767-300Fs, which would mean that SF Express' freighter fleet could grow to
100 - both owned and leased - aircraft by 2020.
Nol van Fenema
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