(Yicai Global) May 23 -- Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com's freight airline, which is billed to receive its operating license soon, has been given the go-ahead to purchase three air cargo planes and will operate out of Nantong in eastern Jiangsu province.

JD.com has been granted permission to bring in three Boeing 737 freight planes from the US and it has already hired 14 flight personnel, 42 maintenance staff, 18 dispatch workers and seven drivers, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on its website today.

JD.com was given the nod by regulators to form its own freight airline in August last year and much of the preparatory work has already been completed. Jiangsu Jingdong Cargo Airlines, based at Nantong Xingdong International Airport, will be engaged in domestic and international air cargo transportation.

Suqiang Jingdong Zhenyue Enterprise, which is owned by JD.com’s founder Richard Liu and two executives Li Yayun and Zhang Pang, is investing CNY450 million (USD67.5 million) in the new carrier to hold a 75 percent share. Nantong Airport Group will contribute CNY150 million and own the remainder of the equity. Beijing-based JD.com does not have a stake in the firm.

Editor: Kim Taylor