JD Airlines secures air carrier certificate

Jiangsu Jingdong Cargo Airlines, or JD Airlines, an affiliate of JD Logistics, received the air carrier certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on August 31.

The carrier will have its principal base at Nantong Xingdong International Airport as it plans to develop its domestic network in China around the key cities of Nantong, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Wuxi.

The airline said it will extend its reach to Chengdu and Chongqing and will gradually cover major cities in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea and later in Europe, Middle East and North America by the end of 2025.

JD Airlines plans to open up its capacity to the market with a single trip able to transport as much as 23 tonnes. The carrier aims to cater to high-value goods, high-end manufacturing, medical, and fresh produce.