China’s first cargo-focused airport, Ezhou Huahu International Airport, is quickly becoming a vital global logistics hub. Since its launch in July 2022, the facility has transformed cross-border trade, improving delivery times for international goods.
This week, at the airport’s cargo terminal in Hubei Province, over nine tonnes of crabs from Kolkata, India, were processed and dispatched in just two hours. The speed highlights the efficiency of the cargo airport, which allows fresh goods like crabs, lobsters, and salmon to reach Chinese consumers within half a day.
With a growing air route network and simplified customs procedures, the cargo airport has become a key entry point for imported foods, electronics, and other international products. So far, it has handled over 60,000 cargo flights and managed more than two million tonnes of mail and freight.
In 2025, the airport expanded to 45 international routes, including Paris, Oslo, and Copenhagen, strengthening China’s role in global trade. The rapid growth of the cargo airport is also boosting the local cross-border e-commerce industry.
Close to the site, the China (Ezhou) Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park is thriving. Livestreamers there promote products ranging from drones to baby strollers, reaching consumers worldwide. Pakistani seller Abdullah, who markets drones to the U.S., said delivery now takes less than a week thanks to frequent flights.
Since opening in April, the park has registered 258 enterprises, generating $310 million in trade. Free training sessions in e-commerce operations and video production have already helped over 600 people from across China.
Experts say the combination of the cargo airport, e-commerce industry, and industrial clusters provides a model for inland China’s economic growth. Ezhou’s success shows how efficient logistics can drive international trade and support regional development.
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