Joey Xu is the director of Airfreight China for Aero Africa, a neutral B2B air cargo logistics company that offersout of the ordinary solutions for the African continent. In this interview, we’ll speak with Joey about the challenges of the Chinese air cargo market and how Aero Africa is addressing these challenges.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your role at Aero Africa and your experience in the air cargo industry?
A: As the director of Airfreight China for Aero Africa, I lead our team in providing import solutions for the Chinese market. I have 25+ years of experience in the Airfreight & Logistics sector, working with leading industry players.
Q: What are some of the challenges of the Chinese air cargo market?
A: In the past 3 years of Covid-19 period, the high demand, high freight rates, and high cargo volumes in the international air cargo market in China have directly led to the rapid growth of orders for all cargo aircrafts. This year, with the continuous delivery of cargo aircrafts and the rapid recovery of international passenger flights, there is a potential for excess freight capacity.
Meanwhile, In 2023, the global economic development will suffer from a variety of adverse factors, such as a downward economic cycle, trade recession, stagnation of globalisation, Russia-Ukraine conflict, and rising inflation etc. The pressure on the economy and changes in market situations will directly lead to changes in the air cargo situation.
Beyond COVID, traditionally the Chinese air cargo market is complex and challenging, with a range of factors that can impact the successful import and export of goods. The Chinese air cargo market is highly competitive, with a large number of companies offering similar services. This can make it difficult for companies to differentiate themselves and attract customers. Additionally, The Chinese government has put in place several regulations that impact the air cargo industry, including customs regulations and import/export controls. Navigating these regulations can be complex and can result in delays and increased costs. Finally, the Chinese air cargo market is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging all the time. This can make it difficult for companies to keep up with changes and maintain a competitive edge.
Q: How does Aero Africa address these challenges?
A: In recent years, with the promotion of the “the Belt and Road” strategy, the cooperation between China and Africa in trade, tourism, culture and other aspects has been deepening, which has led to the continuous growth of business between China and Africa.
Currently, there are 19 routes between China and Africa, including the major airports in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Changsha). Overall, the scale of the air transportation market in China and Africa is still small and the market potential is large. I believe our potential is unlimited.
Aero Africa has a deep understanding of the Chinese air cargo market and has developed a range of solutions to address the challenges outlined above. Aero Africa offers customised import solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of our clients. This allows us to differentiate ourselves from competitors and provide a higher level of service to our clients. Our team is experienced in navigating the complex regulations that impact the Chinese air cargo market. We provide expert guidance and support to help our clients comply with regulations and avoid delays and additional costs. This allows us to offer the most advanced and efficient solutions to our clients.
With an African network in over 84 airports covering all 54 countries, and with selected trusted air cargo professionals in each, we offer bespoke, cost-effective solutions, to and from the African continent. Our potential is unlimited.
Q: What sets Aero Africa apart from other companies in the Chinese air cargo market?
A: We are dedicated in Africa trade lane. Our services include airfreight wholesale & brokerage, freight collect, neutral consolidations, as well as final miles solutions including service to remote and hard to reach destinations in Africa. We are also flexible in providing customers with different services and options to meet their needs. As the main hub of Aero-Africa in China, we not only base ourselves on the local market, but also build airline channels to connect China and Africa markets. Later this year we also launch our Sea-Air Transport Service from China to 60 African destinations which will be a unique new product targeting the landlocked African trade lanes.
Aero Africa places a strong emphasis on providing excellent customer service. We are responsive, communicative, and dedicated to helping our clients succeed. Finally, Aero Africa is committed to continuous improvement and invests in the latest technologies and processes to stay at the forefront of the Chinese air cargo market.
