In the first half of 2025, China's air cargo sector has witnessed remarkable growth, particularly in newly established international routes, which surged by over 50 percent. According to data from the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, this expansion has resulted in the launch of 117 new international air cargo routes, reflecting the increasing demand driven by cross-border e-commerce.

As of June 30, 2025, a total of 145 new air cargo routes have been inaugurated across the country, with international routes accounting for 117 of these, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 58.1 percent. This growth underscores the importance of international logistics in supporting trade initiatives.

The air cargo and mail transportation sector has made substantial strides this year, fueled by robust demand from various industries, especially cross-border e-commerce. The upward trend in international routes has been pivotal, with their share of total cargo volume steadily increasing.

Data for the first half of 2025 indicates that international cargo and mail shipments reached an impressive 2.037 million tons, reflecting a 23.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. This surge highlights the rapid expansion and evolving capacity of the air cargo sector.

By the end of June 2025, China hosted 17 cargo airlines operating a combined total of 249 cargo aircraft. Notably, Chinese airlines have captured 44 percent of the international air cargo market share, marking a 4 percentage point increase from last year, contributing to their growing influence.

The concentration of air logistical hubs has become increasingly pronounced, with the combined GDP of the 20 cities designated as national logistics hub airports representing over a quarter of China's total GDP. Additionally, these hubs account for more than 80 percent of the total cargo volume processed at Chinese airports.

Air logistics have shown robust growth during the first half of the year, driven by the swift expansion of cross-border e-commerce and overseas manufacturing sectors. As China's integration into the global trade landscape advances, its outward-oriented development strategy remains steadfast.

A notable example of this expansion occurred recently when a Shandong Airlines flight carrying 18.3 tons of cargo departed from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport for Tokyo, Japan. This flight highlights the strengthening of air freight services between these two locations and reinforces the airport's role as a vital logistics hub for the Japan-South Korea region.

On another front, a celebration occurred on August 8, when Boeing and Shandong Airlines marked the delivery of the airline's fifth and final 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter. This delivery also represents a significant milestone, as it is the 50th such freighter operated by Chinese air carriers, demonstrating the increasing capacity and modernization of China's air cargo fleet.