Chongqing - Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport has reached a new milestone in its cargo operations, with annual cargo and mail throughput surpassing 500,000 tons for the first time on December 9, airport officials said. 

The record, announced on December 10, marks the highest volume since the airport began operations and signals a new stage in Chongqing's development as an international aviation hub.

A cargo plane is unloaded at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. (Photo/Xie Yuxin)

The jump in cargo volume comes as the airport continues to expand its international freight network. In 2025, Jiangbei Airport focused on two core regions—Europe and Southeast Asia—leveraging Chongqing's geographic position in western China to add or increase flights to destinations including Bournemouth, Milan, Hanoi, Bangkok, Dhaka, Yangon, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong SAR.

The airport now operates 20 international and regional cargo routes with 66 weekly flights, forming a logistics corridor that links western China with Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America. Officials said the network supports exports of “Made in China” and “Made in Chongqing” products by strengthening long-haul airfreight access.

The expanding route system has attracted major logistics and e-commerce companies such as SF Express, JD Logistics, and TEMU to increase cargo consolidation in Chongqing. This shift has helped transform the structure of the airport’s international cargo sources. Cross-border e-commerce shipments have grown steadily, reaching 21,000 tons through November, a 31 percent year-on-year increase.

Jiangbei Airport has also become a key import gateway for products such as salmon from northern Europe, eel from South Asia, and durian from Southeast Asia, supported by dedicated facilities for handling perishable goods. Airport officials said they plan to further expand European import routes to develop Chongqing into a regional distribution center for fresh foods and fruit.

Efficiency improvements in cargo transfer operations have also contributed to the airport’s growing hub capacity. The airport and its partners have promoted new cooperation agreements and encouraged airlines to expand transfer services. Jiangbei Airport and Eastern Air Logistics completed the city’s first on-ramp international cargo transfer this year, improving transit times.

Ground-handling capabilities have also been upgraded to match rising cargo volumes. The airport established a dedicated team to coordinate staffing, equipment, and process improvements, which officials said significantly enhanced operational efficiency and provided a stable foundation for continued growth.