10 / 11 / 2021
By Damian Brett
AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has obtained approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for commercial transportation of lithium batteries over 35 kgs.
The company said it had become the first airline to receive SP A99 approval in China, which comes after two years of preliminary works, testing, and collaboration with stakeholders.
The first commercial shipment of 113 kg was launched on October 20 from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Frankfurt.
Tom Ouyang, ABC regional special cargo manager – Asia & Pacific, said: “This is an important event for the LB industry in China and we are honoured to be the first airline to get CAAC approval.
“The export of the first SP A99 lithium battery shipment is a remarkable milestone in the air logistics industry in China.
“Our appreciation to the great efforts done by the authorities, the customer, and our teams, for making it happen. With the successful experience, we are encouraged to support more and more customers on the transportation of this special cargo in future.”
The airline said that the use – and size – of lithium batteries was on the rise.
“With China being the home for major lithium batteries’ manufacturers, there have been disruptions in effective logistics and most customers tended for seafreight.
“The CAAC approval will enable ABC to leverage the growing demand for transportation of SP A99, offering logistic solutions to its existing customers and gaining new ones.”