Cathay, Air China in cargo venture

Joint carrier will serve nation with a fleet of 12 Boeing 747-400 planes

BEIJING - The Hong Kong-based international airline Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and the Chinese mainland's flag carrier Air China Ltd are tapping into the nation's competitive cargo business with the start of a joint air cargo carrier Friday in Beijing.

Air China Cargo Co Ltd will soon be equipped with a fleet of 12 Boeing 747-400s cargo carriers and will operate principally from Shanghai.