China Southern Airlines opened two passenger aircraft for cargo flights from Chongqing to Amsterdam and to Frankfurt on March 1. Initially, there are three trips per week.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.
The two flights are operated by Airbus A330 Aircraft. Some of the cabins can carry cargo, with a maximum capacity of more than 60 tons for a single round trip. After the opening of the two flights, cargo flights from Chongqing to Amsterdam and to Frankfurt can run up to seven and five trips per week, respectively, which will enhance the carrying capacity of international cargo flights from Chongqing to Europe.
Chongqing's exports to Europe are mainly electronic goods such as laptops, while imports are mainly products purchased through e-commerce. The enhancement in the carrying capacity of intercontinental cargo flights will promote the continuously sound development of Chongqing's electronic information industry, and lay a solid foundation for the city to build itself into a global manufacturing base for the electronic information industry.
Due to the significant changes in China's domestic and international air transport market during the epidemic prevention and control in 2020, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a notice on passenger aircraft for cargo flights to guide carriers to fully evaluate and ensure safe operation of their aircraft, thus responding to the demand for international aviation logistics in a timely manner.
By seizing the opportunity of aviation logistics development, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in Yubei District has actively improved its air freight route network and developed passenger aircraft for cargo flights. In 2020, four new international cargo routes were added, reaching 22 in total. Besides, 1,306 passenger aircraft for cargo flights achieved a cargo throughput of 411,000 tons, realizing a year-on-year increase of 0.08% against the trend. Under the tight air freight capacity domestically, the airport makes use of cargo-only flights and passenger aircraft for cargo flights to serve the dual circulation and build up energy for economic revival and high-quality development after the epidemic.