China Southern Airlines recently announced a new international air cargo route linking Milan in Italy and Haikou, in south China's Hainan Province — envisioned to be a free trade port area. 

The Guangzhou-based airline will reportedly operate regular cargo flights on this route every Monday and Thursday, shipping goods such as cosmetics, clothing, and handbags from Europe.

"The Italian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and a number of Chinese companies have agreed to launch a 'fashion express,' thanks to which they will supply luxury clothing and accessories from the north of Italy and from Switzerland to Hainan," it said, noting that the goods of these luxury brands will be able to hit the shelves of Hainan duty free stores just 36 hours after the cargo is assembled at factories in the northern Italian region of Lombardy.

Airline officials noted that the new route is expected to significantly shorten the transportation cycle of fashion goods from European countries to Haikou.

China Southern Airlines said it plans to open more international routes to Southeast Asia and expand its footprint in aviation logistics, aircraft leasing, aviation food processing, and e-commerce trade.