China’s air cargo sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by a surge in cross-border e-commerce and overseas manufacturing demands. In August alone, the nation launched 15 new international cargo routes, enhancing its global logistics capabilities.
Key Developments in China’s Air Cargo Sector
- New Route Expansion: This August, 15 new international routes were established, adding over 30 round-trip flights each week. The majority of these new connections (11 routes) are focused on Asian destinations, with three new routes to Europe.
- Targeted Goods: The cargo primarily consists of cross-border e-commerce products, high-value electronics, automotive parts, fresh produce, and specialized agricultural goods.
- Sustained Growth: In the first eight months of this year, China has opened a total of 152 new international air cargo routes. This expansion has added more than 300 weekly round-trip flights to the global network.
Global and Regional Trends
According to the International Air Transport Association, global air cargo demand saw a 5.5% year-on-year increase in July. Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region led this growth, with an impressive 11.1% rise in demand, the fastest of any region.
Chinese airlines are actively expanding their cargo operations to meet this demand. For instance, China Southern Airlines recently launched a new cargo flight from Guangzhou to London. Over the past decade, the airline has transported more than 200,000 tons of goods between China and the UK. This includes a growing volume of Chinese brands in clothing, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, signaling their increasing recognition in the UK market.
E-Commerce Fuels Logistics Growth
The expansion reflects the rapid growth of China’s cross-border e-commerce sector. In 2024, the country’s e-commerce exports surpassed 2 trillion yuan ($278.59 billion) for the first time, marking a 16.9% increase from the previous year.
Logistics giants are also scaling up. S.F. Holding reported that its cross-border e-commerce logistics revenue from China to Europe doubled in the first half of 2025. On August 27, SF Airlines operated the first international cargo flight from Zhuhai’s newly opened international cargo port, sending 18 tons of goods to Hanoi, Vietnam. This milestone further strengthens the air transport network supporting global trade.