Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, in China's Henan Province, saw its annual cargo throughput exceed 700,000 tonnes for the first time as the gateway signalled intent to become an international air cargo hub.

The airport said with this, it now ranks sixth among more than 230 airports in China, and is included among the world's top 40 cargo airports for the second consecutive year, according to a statement carried by state-run media.

Russian freighter, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, was the first foreign airline to set foot in Xinzheng International Airport in September 2010,  the hub said, opening the Zhengzhou-Moscow air cargo service — adding that the company's annual freight volume exceeded 50,000 tonnes at the airport in Zhengzhou for the first time this year, up 75% year on year.

Xinzheng said the air freight service has guaranteed medical supplies and logistics transport of living necessities and food amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December, five countries including Russia, Hungary, Iran, Romania and Ukraine have added all-cargo flight services to Xinzheng International Airport.

Liu Jianmin, general manager of Henan Province Airport Group, said the company is committed to the construction of an "Air Silk Road" by developing the airport into an international air cargo hub.