China sees 50% growth in newly-opened international air cargo routes

In the first half of this year, China saw a considerable growth of over 50 percent in newly launched international air cargo routes, while the share of cargo volume on international routes continued to climb, according to data from the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP), the state broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday.

As of June 30, 2025, a total of 145 new air cargo routes were opened nationwide. Among them, 117 were international air cargo routes, marking a year-on-year increase of 58.1 percent.

China's air cargo and mail transportation sector has maintained strong growth this year, fueled by robust demand from cross-border e-commerce and other industries. 

International routes have emerged as a key driver, with their share of total cargo volume steadily increasing. Data from the first half of the year shows international cargo and mail shipments surged to 2.037 million tons, marking a 23.4 percent year-on-year rise and underscoring the sector's rapid expansion.

Ground service crew unload cargo from a freight aircraft at the Ezhou Huahu International Airpot in Central China's Hubei Province on July 17, 2022. File photo: VCG

By the end of June, there were 17 cargo airlines in China, operating 249 cargo aircraft. Chinese aviation companies accounted for 44 percent of the international air cargo market share, an increase of 4 percentage points compared to the previous year. 

Additionally, air logistical hubs are becoming increasingly concentrated. The combined GDP of the 20 cities with national logistics hubs of the airport accounts for over a quarter of the country's total GDP, while the cargo volume of these 20 hub airports makes up more than 80 percent of the total cargo volume at Chinese airports.

Air logistics experienced robust growth in the first half of the year, driven by the rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce and overseas manufacturing. As its role in the national economy and market competition continues to grow, a more diversified global trade landscape is emerging. Cui Zhongfu, Chief Economist at CFLP, noted that China's outward-oriented development strategy remains unchanged.

On Sunday, a Shandong Airlines flight carrying 18.3 tons of cargo departed from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport for Tokyo, Japan. This flight marks the continued expansion of Qingdao-Tokyo air freight services, further strengthening the airport's strategic role as a key logistics hub for the Japan-South Korea region.

On August 8, Boeing and Shandong Airlines celebrated the delivery of the airline's fifth and final 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) on order. The aircraft also marks the 50th 737-800BCF operated by Chinese air carriers. China now has eight 737-800BCF operators using those freighters to support domestic and regional air cargo markets.

(Global Times)