The supply & demand challenge of China's air cargo market

The China market has been a perennial and lucrative attraction for foreign carriers who have flocked to tap the vast volumes of export cargo, despite often severe cargo imbalances between inbound and outbound loads. At times the attractiveness of the market has resulted in over-capacity in the market resulting in depressed rates.

Following the downturn of 2009, most carriers have been more cautious about putting capacity back into the China market, but with healthy demand and a more robust Chinese domestic economy that now sees substantial import volumes, carriers are rapidly putting capacity back into the market.

This session will focus on the capacity issue and any potential impact on foreign carriers of moves to strengthen the domestic cargo carriers, as well as the future of this dynamic market.

The session’s key discussion points will include: 

• What will be the impact on foreign carriers of moves to strengthen the market share of China’s own carriers?
• Have carriers learnt their lesson, or will they flood the China market with capacity once again?
• Will the earlier trend of foreign/China JVs continue?
• What obstacles do foreign carriers meet in doing business in China?
• What is the long term potential of the China cargo market?
• How will the rising imports into China – and alleviating the imbalance problem - impact the cargo market?

Invited panelists include:

 - Robert Song, Vice President Asia Pacific, AirBridgeCargo 
 - Johannes Zinkl, MD, Tianjin AirCargo Terminal 
 - Roberto Gilardoni, Commercial Director, CargoItalia
 - John Cheetham, Regional Commercial Manager, Asia Pacific, BA World Cargo

1230: End of AFA Conference 2011

Remarks: Conference program and speakers are subjected to change without prior notice.