A new air freight route has been launched linking the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen with Leipzig in Germany.

The announcement was made by Shenzhen Baoan International Airport on April 12, according to a report by Chinese state media.

The route is operated by the cargo airline AeroLogic, with six round trips made by Boeing 777 all-cargo aircraft each week.

"The opening of this new air cargo route can better meet the strong aviation logistics market demand in Shenzhen and its surrounding areas, and further promote the economic and trade exchanges between south China and Europe," Chinadaily said in its report, quoting the airport.

It added that since the start of the year, Shenzhen airport has kept smoothing logistics channels and coordinating airlines to expand routes and increase capacity so as to ensure the stability of the supply and industry chain amid Covid-19.

The launch also comes timely as Shanghai currently faces logistics constraints due to an ongoing lockdown in the major cargo and shipping hub — pushing freight to other airports in China.

Shenzhen is an R&D and manufacturing center in such sectors as electronic products, high-tech equipment, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Shenzhen Baoan has to date opened international air-freight lines reaching 35 destinations.

Meanwhile, German cargo airline Aerologic — which is a  joint-venture between DHL and Lufthansa Cargo — operates a fleet of 17 Boeing 777 freighters.