In the early hours of July 2, a Boeing 767 freighter (flight C6622) took off from Hangzhou International Airport, marking the launch of Hangzhou-Tashkent’s first dedicated cargo route. This is Zhejiang Province’s first direct freight link to Central Asia, and the second new all-cargo route added to Hangzhou’s airport this year. Thanks to streamlined customs and border clearance processes - with goods now clearing in just one hour - the route is a game-changer for logistics efficiency.

Operating every Wednesday and Sunday, the 6-hour flight carries up to 50 tons of cargo. It creates a fast track for Zhejiang’s consumer goods like daily necessities and clothing to reach Central Asian markets. On return trips, it brings Uzbekistan’s fresh fruits and other specialties to China, giving East China’s fresh food markets some exciting new options.

New flight routes are giving a boost to both global supply chains and regional economic cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite a tricky international trade environment in the first half of 2025, Zhejiang Airport Group’s cargo division managed to grow its business against the trend by adding routes, building hubs, and improving services. From January to June, the province’s airports handled about 520,000 tons of cargo - up 2.6% year-on-year. Hangzhou’s airport was particularly impressive - while international cargo volumes dropped by 4.8%, it actually saw a 3.3% growth thanks to the reforms. On June 10, it became the first airport in the Yangtze River Delta to move over 100,000 tons of international cargo, cementing its role as a key driver of foreign trade in the region.

To adapt to changes in global trade, Zhejiang has been expanding its “72-hour global delivery” air cargo network. It now operates 53 international freight routes across three continents. “We’ll have more flights to Europe and America in the second half, and look into new intercontinental routes,” said Chen Zhongyue, head of the airport group’s logistics company. “Our goal is to have international cargo make up over 30% of our business this year, strengthening Zhejiang’s position as a ‘dual-circulation’ hub.”