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China Southern Airlines Air Cargo Profile

Review verified carrier details, codes, cargo operations, hubs, fleet information, and network coverage where available.

China Southern Airlines

IATA: CZ

China Southern Cargo, Guangzhou-based freight arm flying about 19 Boeing 777F freighters plus belly capacity from Guangzhou and Shanghai.

China Southern Airlines was established in 1988 and began operations in 1991, and is headquartered in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province. It is owned by the state-owned China Southern Air Holding Company and is one of China's three largest carriers by passenger volume. The airline uses IATA code CZ and ICAO code CSN. It was a member of the SkyTeam alliance from 2007 until it withdrew on 1 January 2019, and now operates independently while keeping bilateral codeshare and interline partnerships with carriers such as American Airlines.

1988
Founded
~19 Boeing 777F
Cargo fleet
Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai (PVG)
Main hubs
Independent
Alliance

China Southern Airlines at a glance

Cargo division
China Southern Cargo
Headquarters
Guangzhou, China
Founded
1988
IATA / ICAO code
CZ / CSN
Cargo fleet
About 19 Boeing 777F freighters flown by cargo subsidiary China Southern Air Logistics, with 5 Boeing 777-8F and 2 further 777F on order, plus belly cargo capacity across a passenger fleet of roughly 700 aircraft including Airbus A330, A350, Boeing 777-300ER and 787
Cargo hubs
Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
Parent group
China Southern Air Holding Company
Alliance
Independent
Main cargo routes
China to Europe, China to North America, China to Southeast Asia, and intra-Asia lanes from the Pearl River Delta
Official website
www.csair.com

About China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines was established in 1988 and began operations in 1991, and is headquartered in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province. It is owned by the state-owned China Southern Air Holding Company and is one of China's three largest carriers by passenger volume. The airline uses IATA code CZ and ICAO code CSN. It was a member of the SkyTeam alliance from 2007 until it withdrew on 1 January 2019, and now operates independently while keeping bilateral codeshare and interline partnerships with carriers such as American Airlines.

Dedicated freighter operations run through China Southern Air Logistics under the China Southern Cargo brand, a subsidiary that received its own air operator's certificate in August 2021 and holds the separate ICAO code CSG. It began scheduled freighter service in February 2022 with a Guangzhou to London Stansted route. The unit operates a self-owned fleet of about 19 Boeing 777F aircraft and has placed orders for 5 Boeing 777-8F freighters, becoming the first mainland Chinese customer for that type, alongside 2 additional 777F, with deliveries running through the early 2030s.

China Southern Cargo runs a dual-hub network from Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG), backed by belly capacity across a passenger fleet of roughly 700 aircraft. Its dedicated freighter stations include Amsterdam, London Stansted, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Chicago and, from January 2026, Mexico City, connecting the Pearl River Delta manufacturing base with Europe and the Americas. The carrier also markets a branded international product, CZ Speed, and lists capacity on digital booking platforms, focusing on e-commerce, general and time-sensitive cargo.

Using this airline profile

Use the IATA and ICAO codes, cargo division, hubs, and network information on this page to identify the operating carrier and confirm shipment details with China Southern Airlines or your freight forwarder.

China Southern Airlines air cargo FAQ

Where is China Southern Airlines based and when was it founded?

China Southern Airlines is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, and was established in 1988, commencing operations in 1991. It is owned by the state-owned China Southern Air Holding Company and uses IATA code CZ and ICAO code CSN.

What is China Southern's cargo brand and what freighters does it fly?

Cargo is operated by subsidiary China Southern Air Logistics under the China Southern Cargo brand, which holds its own ICAO code CSG. It flies a fleet of about 19 Boeing 777F freighters and has ordered 5 Boeing 777-8F plus 2 more 777F, in addition to belly capacity on its large passenger fleet.

What are China Southern Cargo's main hubs and routes?

China Southern Cargo uses dual hubs at Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG). Its dedicated freighter stations include Amsterdam, London Stansted, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Chicago and Mexico City, linking China with Europe and North America.