JD Logistics, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce firm JD.Com, is hoping to operate a fleet of 100 freighter aircraft by 2030.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Yui Yu, chief executive of Logistics, said that the company is considering both purchasing and leasing aircraft.
The company has recently been awarded approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China to operate its own airfreight business, he said.
“By 2030, it won’t be less than 100 planes,” Yu said.
Yu added that the current supply chain issues caused by Covid-related capacity shortages would only have a short-term impact on the market and that trade flows will return to normal.
Elsewhere, he said the company will invest in automated warehouses in Europe and the US to meet demand in China.
The company will also consider M&A in logistics companies if the right opportunity presents itself, he added.
Over the last few months, JD Logistics has expanded its air cargo charter operations, adding flights to the UK as well as to the US earlier this year.
It also launched flights to Thailand in May.
JD.Com is not the only e-commerce firm looking to expand its airfreight operations, earlier this week Air Cargo News reported that Amazon is also considering adding intercontinental flights to its network.
