Air Silk Road breaks record in Henan

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport achieves milestone annual cargo volume of 800,000 tons

　　After a Boeing 747 freighter operated by China Central Longhao Airlines landed at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport on Dec 22, 2024, the annual cargo volume of the airport surpassed 800,000 metric tons, setting a record since its opening in 1997.

　　Airport managers described this as a significant milestone, highlighting the airport's enhanced role as a global air cargo hub and its growing competitiveness in the international market.

　　Zhang Mingchao, Party secretary and chairman of China Henan Aviation Group, said: "Our company has been committed to advancing the construction of the Air Silk Road by integrating resources from key airlines and airport platforms, optimizing route networks and increasing transport capacity. Through the 'dual-hub' cooperation model, we have expanded Zhengzhou's air cargo network to support the development of the Air Silk Road."

　　Dual-hub model

　　The breakthrough in cargo volume at Xinzheng Airport is largely attributed to the in-depth implementation of the dual-hub model by China Henan Aviation Group.

　　Since Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group acquired a 35 percent stake in Cargolux Airlines International in 2014, the dual-hub model has injected new momentum into Zhengzhou's cross-border e-commerce and air logistics businesses.

　　In 2024, China Henan Aviation Group signed cooperation agreements in Luxembourg, propelling the dual-hub model into a new phase.

　　The model is now being replicated and expanded to cities such as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Liege in Belgium and Baku in Azerbaijan, laying the groundwork for a self-reliant international air logistics supply chain.

　　To date, Xinzheng Airport has launched 57 all-cargo routes. The airport has attracted 29 cargo airlines, including seven of the world's top 10 cargo carriers.

　　By deeply integrating with the global logistics network, the airport has achieved comprehensive route coverage, which is connecting major economic regions in Europe, North America and Asia. This aligns with Henan province's strategic goal of building an inland open economy.

　　From handling 150,000 tons of cargo in 2012 to surpassing 800,000 tons in 2024, Xinzheng Airport has demonstrated its growing prominence in global air logistics. Airport managers emphasized that this achievement highlights the success of the dual-hub model and underscores the airport's critical role in international logistics.

　　Enhanced capabilities

　　In recent years, Xinzheng Airport has continuously improved its cargo support services, excelling in oversized cargo transport.

　　On Dec 14, a Boeing 747 operated by Cargolux Airlines International transported a 51-ton turbine core component to the airport, representing a challenge in heavy cargo transport. The operation utilized two 100-ton cranes, two 35-ton platform vehicles and one flatbed truck to ensure seamless handling. This case exemplifies the airport's expertise in managing oversized and heavy cargo.

　　In 2024, the airport handled 209 shipments of oversized cargo and live animals, totaling more than 4,000 tons. These shipments included industrial equipment, precise instruments, cross-border fresh produce and cold-chain logistics, demonstrating the airport's comprehensive cargo handling capabilities.

　　Additionally, Xinzheng Airport has excelled in dangerous goods transport, achieving certifications for handling nine categories of hazardous materials and obtaining Good Distribution Practice and Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics certifications for pharmaceutical logistics. The airport regularly sends professional teams to international aviation hubs for training and exchange to enhance its global service standards.

　　Innovative logistics model

　　In terms of logistics development, Xinzheng Airport has achieved multiple innovative breakthroughs. As a pilot project for air cargo e-freight in the national civil aviation industry, the airport has significantly improved logistics information flow efficiency by standardizing, informatizing and establishing paperless operating systems throughout the entire air cargo logistics chain. It saves about 1 million paper documents annually while reducing operational costs for businesses.

　　Xinzheng Airport is also promoting the digital transformation of regional logistics networks. By optimizing operational platforms and data sharing systems, the airport has realized real-time tracking and intelligent distribution of freight data, which has enhanced global cargo turnover efficiency. This innovation will strengthen the airport's competitiveness in the global air cargo logistics field.

　　Furthermore, Xinzheng Airport has initiated a joint transportation model between high-speed rail and aviation.

　　On Dec 8, 2024, a batch of fashionable clothing flying from Europe to Xinzheng Airport was rapidly transported to Chongqing, thanks to advantages of the air-rail joint transportation. This marks the completion of the first shipment under the new model of "international air cargo import plus domestic high-speed railway distribution" at Xinzheng Airport. Previously, the airport had completed full-process operations under the new model of "domestic high-speed railway transportation plus international air cargo export" in air-rail joint transportation.

　　The integration of air and high-speed rail transport enhances cargo aggregation and boosts the airport's competitiveness in cross-border e-commerce logistics, providing efficient solutions for local businesses to expand into overseas markets.

　　In the future, these innovative models will be extended to more international routes, solidifying Xinzheng Airport's position in the industry.

　　Driving regional economy

　　The dual-hub model not only propelled the airport to breakthroughs in the international logistics sector but has driven economic development in the region.

　　Currently, the Henan Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone has attracted more than 400 logistics companies, forming an industry cluster represented by the global distribution center for United States technology giant Apple Inc, the international express distribution center for United Parcel Service and the distribution base for fashion brand ZARA. These clusters have greatly aided the development of emerging formats such as cross-border e-commerce and biopharmaceuticals, injecting new vitality into the regional economy.

　　In recent years, the improvements in supporting facilities around the airport have attracted a large number of upstream and downstream enterprises, leading to the coexistence of multiple formats such as air cargo logistics, e-commerce and intelligent manufacturing.

　　Data showed that in 2023, the Zhengzhou Xinzheng Comprehensive Bonded Zone achieved a total foreign trade value of 407.3 billion yuan ($55.8 billion), ranking first in the country in terms of import and export scale.

　　Tang Xiaochun, head of the airfreight department at Shanghai Yinhua International Freight Forwarding, said: "The efficiency of security checks, customs clearance and cargo station operations at Xinzheng Airport has saved us a significant amount of time and costs. It is one of the airports we think highly of and has achieved the most significant results."

　　Additionally, Xinzheng Airport has been promoting multimodal transportation and has established close cooperation with major logistics hubs in the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Through seamless connections between trucks, flights and railway transport, the airport has extended its logistics network, providing support for regional economic growth.

　　In the future, Xinzheng Airport said it will deepen the construction of the Air Silk Road, optimize the global route network, enhance cargo guarantee capabilities and further promote the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce and air cargo logistics.

　　Liu Jianmin, general manager of China Henan Aviation Group, said: "The green, digital and low-carbon development path of Xinzheng Airport has set an example for the industry. Through innovative models and technological breakthroughs, the airport's air cargo logistics has entered a fast lane of development."

　　With the Air Silk Road extending domestically and globally, a strong support facility is taking into shape for the construction of the global air logistics network. Xinzheng Airport is gradually becoming an important engine facilitating the operation of both domestic and international circulation, playing its role as a frontier of openness.

　　On Dec 22, a Boeing 747 freighter arrives at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport from Chennai, India, marking the first time that the annual cargo throughput of the airport exceeded 800,000 tons. YAO ZILI/FOR CHINA DAILY

　　Xinzheng Airport handles a single cargo weighing 51 tons on Dec 14. XUE AOLIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

　　On Oct 17, staff members from China Central Longhao Airlines celebrate an annual cargo volume of more than 100,000 tons at Xinzheng Airport. XUE AOLIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

　　Xinzheng Airport is cooperating with 29 cargo airlines and seven world renowned all-cargo airlines have launched their services there. XUE AOLIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

　　An elevated view of Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport Terminal 2. XUE AOLIN/FOR CHINA DAILY