DB Schenker has launched a regular cargo route between Ezhou Huahu International Airport in Hubei, touted as China's first cargo-focused airport, and Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
On January 7, 2025, a Boeing 777 freighter loaded with diverse goods successfully departed from Ezhou, embarking on its inaugural flight to Frankfurt, establishing another significant air logistics corridor between Central China and Europe.
The regular cargo route will be operated by Etihad Cargo, departing from Ezhou every Tuesday, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi before arriving in Frankfurt the following day.
In a statement, DB Schenker said the route will accommodate a wide range of cargo categories, covering e-commerce, high-tech, electronics, industrial goods, consumer and retail products, and automotive parts.
The estimated annual cargo volume is expected to reach 5,200 tons. It will provide stable freight capacity to support Sino-Europe trade through this route and foster continuous bilateral economic cooperation.
"As the first dedicated cargo hub airport in Asia, Ezhou Huahu International Airport has shown remarkable growth since its inauguration in July 2022," the announcement said, adding that this 4E-level international airport has currently opened 30 international and 53 domestic cargo routes, connecting major economic regions worldwide.
In 2024, the airport maintained the fastest growth rate in China, ranking fifth in cargo nationwide, with a cumulative volume exceeding 1.2 million tons — demonstrating enormous development potential.
DB Schenker said the unique location of Ezhou Huahu International Airport was a key factor in DB Schenker's choice to establish operations there. The airport is situated in Echeng District, Ezhou City, 75 kilometres from Wuhan, within a 1.5-hour flight radius of five major national urban agglomerations, including the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions.
Meanwhile, the three main railway lines, seven highways, and five deep-water ports surrounding the airport constitute a comprehensive multimodal transportation network, ensuring solid support for cargo distribution.
"From a strategic perspective, the Ezhou Huahu International Airport region is accelerating the development of emerging industry clusters, including aviation logistics, healthcare, intelligent manufacturing, and optoelectronic information. This is highly compatible with DB Schenker's logistics and transportation solutions advantages, creating substantial opportunities for expanding integrated logistics services," the announcement said.
It added that the airport aims to develop into an organizational platform for international and domestic trade connectivity by 2025. It serves as an important power driving force for high-quality regional economic development.
Shengze Wang, member of Party Leadership Group of Ezhou Municipal People's Government, noted that DB Schenker's decision to establish operations at Ezhou Huahu International Airport represents a strong endorsement of Ezhou's business environment and development prospects.
"We will continue to optimize the business environment and fully support the development of international logistics enterprises such as DB Schenker in Ezhou. Together, we aim to transform Ezhou Huahu International Airport into an aviation cargo hub with global influence," Wang said.
Ramon He, senior vice president and head of air freight at DB Schenker Greater China, said the launch of the Ezhou-Frankfurt route is a significant measure for DB Schenker to deepen its layout in the Chinese market.
"Ezhou Huahu International Airport not only boasts advanced infrastructure and efficient operational systems but also serves as strategic node advantages in connecting international industrial and supply chains."
"We are optimistic about its development potential and have chosen it as our key air freight hub in Central China, enabling us to provide more efficient and reliable professional logistics and transportation solutions to our customers," He added.
Stanislas Brun, vice president of cargo at Etihad Cargo, said Etihad Cargo works closely with DB Schenker to address its capacity needs, ensuring the seamless operation of the Ezhou-Frankfurt route.
"By leveraging Ezhou Huahu International Airport's strategic location and Etihad Cargo's extensive network and operational expertise, we provide the reliability and flexibility required for successful global logistics," he added, noting that this partnership enables businesses to optimize supply chains, connecting key markets in Central China and Europe with efficiency and ease.
