SF Airlines Completes 12 Years of Safe Operations

On December 31, 2021, SF Airlines successfully completed its annual air transport operations while marking twelve years of safe operations. Throughout the year, the carrier transported nearly 900,000 tons of cargo.

As the inaugural year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period, 2021 saw the accelerated formation of a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic-international dual circulation reinforcing each other. Within this context, more capable and self-sufficient air logistics supply chains have become crucial supporting forces. SF Airlines strengthened its operational capabilities through increased aviation resource investment, embraced technology to solidify operational foundations, and expanded services to enhance its brand - making multi-dimensional efforts to improve air logistics supply chain services.

Expanding Scale: Growth in Fleet and Destinations

As China's largest cargo airline by fleet size, SF Airlines has maintained steady fleet expansion over twelve years of operations. In 2021, the company added seven new freighters (three B757-200s and four B767-300s), growing its fleet to 68 aircraft with optimized capacity for long, medium, and short-haul operations.

This expansion facilitated rapid network development, with over ten new domestic and international routes including "Hohhot=Bayannur", "Shangri-La=Kunming=Shenzhen", "Xi'an=Tokyo", "Chengdu=Dhaka", "Xi'an=Novosibirsk", "Shenzhen=Los Angeles", and "Shenzhen=Paris". The carrier now serves 84 destinations (including 28 international sites), extending its reach to France, Russia, and the Philippines for the first time, steadily expanding its "China-focused, Asia-radiating, Euro-America-extending" cargo network.

Strengthening Foundations: Technology-Enabled Operations

SF Airlines has actively supported technological innovation, leveraging big data and algorithms to develop smart management platforms tailored for express aviation. The company has established dozens of information systems covering flight operations, maintenance engineering, operational control, ground handling, parts management, and administrative support.

In July 2021, after nearly a year of development, SF Airlines launched its Aircraft Health Management (AHM) system. Utilizing data mining and analytics, AHM enables real-time fault alerts and early performance predictions, reducing "decoding" time from minutes to seconds. Engineers can now simultaneously detect in-flight anomalies and initiate troubleshooting procedures, significantly improving maintenance efficiency.

December 2021 saw the completion of SF Airlines' Fuel Management System, which handles data analysis for fuel optimization and performance monitoring while featuring carbon emission tracking modules to support environmental management. Additional systems introduced in 2021 include Maintenance Resource Management, Self-Service Tool Rental, and Pilot Qualification Management systems, alongside upgrades to existing platforms - collectively providing reliable technical support for safe, efficient operations.

Shaping the Brand: Enhancing Air Logistics Services

While specializing in secure, efficient express air transport and customized logistics solutions, SF Airlines remains committed to social responsibility through its services.

New international routes like "Xi'an=Tokyo", "Chengdu=Dhaka", "Xi'an=Novosibirsk", and "Shenzhen=Los Angeles" have boosted import/export efficiency for manufacturers, cross-border e-commerce, and foreign trade enterprises while helping build self-sufficient international logistics supply chains. Seasonal "fruit routes" transported over ten varieties including lychees, cherries, bayberries, matsutake mushrooms, and hairy crabs, supporting fresh e-commerce and rural industries.

Since COVID-19 vaccine development, SF Airlines has prepared specialized transport capabilities. In July 2021, it launched its first "vaccine route", delivering 1.25 million doses from Beijing to Bishkek to vaccinate 625,000 people. By December, three vaccine flights had transported 3.85 million doses.

During localized pandemic outbreaks when ground transport restrictions and reduced passenger belly capacity disrupted supply chains, SF Airlines' freighters provided stable logistics support. The carrier quickly adjusted operations - like rerouting lychee shipments from Guangzhou to Shenzhen during peak season - to ensure timely deliveries.

Twelve Years of Growth, Ambitious Future

Despite challenges, 2021 saw SF Airlines expand its service scope, transport scale, operational quality, and service capabilities while maintaining safety. The company remains committed to building modern logistics systems and self-sufficient international supply chains to support national development goals.

In 2022, SF Airlines' fleet will surpass 70 aircraft with growing long-haul capabilities. Moving forward, the company will continue prioritizing safety as its foundation, technology as its engine, and hub services as its direction - striving to build a more competitive air logistics brand that delivers superior services worldwide.