The Chinese mainland has significantly expanded its global logistics footprint, launching 80 new international air cargo routes during the first five months of 2026. According to data released by the Air Logistics Committee of the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP) as of May 31, this expansion underscores a strategic push to enhance trade efficiency and supply chain resilience.
The newly launched routes primarily strengthen connectivity between the Chinese mainland and key economic hubs in Europe and Asia. Specifically, 35 of the new routes connect to Europe and 33 to other Asian destinations. The network also expanded into the Americas and Africa, with 10 new routes to North America and one route each to South America and Africa.
The momentum remained strong through May, which alone saw the addition of 11 new international air cargo routes: seven serving Asia, three for Europe, and one for North America. This growth is heavily driven by the increasing volume of cross-border e-commerce goods, high-end manufactured products, high-value-added goods, and fresh produce requiring rapid transit.
Industry experts suggest that this expansion is a critical move for balancing international transport. Peng Chun, deputy director of the Department of Logistics Management at Beijing Jiaotong University, stated that the steady expansion of the international air cargo network helps ease pressure on maritime and rail transport while providing efficient logistics support for high-value-added exports.
Furthermore, Peng highlighted a broader strategic benefit, noting that the increase in air cargo routes helps strengthen the independent transportation capacity of the Chinese mainland, thereby safeguarding essential supply chain security in an increasingly dynamic global market.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
