On the morning of 17th October, a SF Airlines Boeing 767 freighter departed for Changsha, marking a significant achievement for Ezhou Huahu Airport as its cargo throughput exceeded 100,000 tons.
Huahu Airport achieved significant milestones in expanding its cargo routes. Last year, on 27th November, it opened its first cargo route, followed by its inaugural international cargo route on 1st April this year. Currently, Huahu Airport operates an extensive network of 44 domestic cargo routes and seven international cargo routes, connecting Asia, Europe, and America. In September, after SF Airlines completed the transition of its domestic cargo routes, the airport experienced a remarkable increase in cargo flight volume, with 2,159 flights recorded. The cargo throughput continued to rise, reaching a total of 49,700 tons, with domestic cargo accounting for 88% of the overall volume.
Simultaneously, SF Super Transshipment Hub, which holds the title of being the largest in Asia, commenced its official operations. The hub's sorting efficiency shows consistent improvement, as packages swiftly move at a speed of 2.7 metres per second along a sorting line that stretches approximately 52 kilometres. Presently, the hub manages an average daily cargo volume of nearly 1,800 tons.
As the air cargo network becomes more complex and the transshipment hub operates efficiently, Huahu Airport's exceptional capacity stands out, leading to a significant increase in foreign trade volume. Li Feng, Deputy Director of Ezhou Customs, highlighted this growth by stating, "Huahu Airport took four months to handle the first ten thousand tons of cargo, and less than two months for the second ten thousand tons. Additionally, Ezhou Customs' tax revenue exceeded RMB 100 million this year."
In order to ensure seamless nighttime flights and efficient cargo transshipment, Huahu Airport collaborates proactively with SF Airlines and various on-site support units. They have implemented enhancements to cargo support processes, operational procedures, and emergency plans, aiming to streamline operations. Key areas of focus include the safe transportation of dangerous goods, cargo handling safety, and fire safety. They also prioritise strengthening security measures across all aspects of operations, identifying and mitigating risks and hidden dangers, and continuously improving the airport's safety management standards.
Moving forward, Huahu Airport will prioritise enhancing its aviation capacity, reinforcing its role as a gateway, and expediting the construction of a highly efficient and integrated transportation system. The ultimate objective is to transform the airport into a top-notch development gateway for facilitating Hubei's external connections, domestic and international logistics, and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.