(Yicai Global) March 10 -- Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding, has launched a weekly charter flight between China and Brazil in cooperation with Qatar Airways Cargo.

The new route, operated once a week, with a 100-ton capacity, will meet growing demand for Chinese products among consumers in Latin America, Hangzhou-based Cainiao said in a press release.

The first Cainiao chartered Boeing 777 freighter departed Hong Kong Airport on March 5, and arrived at Guarulhos Airport, Sao Paulo, after a 30-hour flight, with a technical stop in Doha, Qatar, according to statement.

The new route is the eighth chartered by Cainiao to North and Latin America, Xinmin Evening News reported today. Based on local logistics facilities, consumers in Latin America can get packages from China as quickly as 12 days now, compared with 40 to 50 days earlier, the report said.

Cainiao has experienced three-figure business growth in Latin American over the past year and has driven a focused air cargo network expansion in recent months to secure smooth supply chain performance, the firm said.

Cainiao has already teamed up with carrier Atlas Air to operate seven chartered flights a week, linking Hong Kong with Miami, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo and Santiago in Chile.

Editor: Peter Thomas