According to the Hubei Air Traffic Management Bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, as of 4th September, SF Airlines has fully relocated its sorting centre to Ezhou Huahu Airport. This significant move designates Ezhou Huahu Airport as SF Airlines' primary national hub for transfers and sorting. Here, logistics from across the country will be received, sorted and subsequently dispatched to their respective destinations.
The SF transfer centre at Ezhou Huahu Airport boasts seven sorting lines, spanning a total length of 210 kilometers when fully extended. With an operating speed of 70 kilometers per hour, it has the capability to handle a staggering peak volume of 500,000 items per hour.
In the meantime, SF Airlines has seen a steady rise in its domestic cargo flights at Ezhou Huahu Airport. Initially starting with 6, 13 and 30 flights, the number has now reached an impressive 84 flights, covering a total of 42 domestic cargo routes. This growth has propelled Ezhou Huahu Airport's overall passenger and cargo flight count beyond the 100 mark, solidifying its position as a thriving cargo hub.
To ensure a seamless transition for SF Airlines' largest national sorting centre, the Hubei Air Traffic Management Bureau took extensive measures. Last year, the bureau conducted training sessions for air traffic controllers at Ezhou Huahu Airport in two phases. From 20th July this year, a digital handover of air traffic management between Wuhan and Ezhou was implemented, significantly boosting the efficiency of air traffic management operations.
Currently, the air traffic control tower and the airspace below 2,400 meters at Ezhou Huahu Airport are under the management of the air traffic controllers stationed at Ezhou Huahu Airport. The airspace above 2,400 meters is handled by the air traffic controllers from the Hubei Air Traffic Management Bureau. It has been observed that due to the majority of cargo flights operating during the night, the Hubei Air Traffic Management Bureau has expanded the number of nighttime control sectors from one to two. Additionally, the number of duty controllers has increased from three to five. As a result, the air traffic management model of "ensuring the safety of Tianhe Airport during the day, securing Huahu Airport throughout the night" in Hubei has essentially taken shape.