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Cargo First doubles up China flights

[ September 21, 2023   //   ]

Bournemouth-based freighter airline Cargo First is doubling of capacity between to China and has signed a new cargo development agreement, following the launch of an e-commerce route earlier this year.

Shenzhen Sharing Express Logistic-Tech started a route between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Bournemouth Airport in April with three flights per week. This has now been doubled to six flights per week from 18 September, equating to a capacity of more than 20,000 tonnes per year. The service is operated by Bournemouth-based European Cargo’s A-340 wide-bodied freighters, each with a capacity of 76 tonnes.

A reciprocal trade mission between Sichuan Province and Bournemouth took place in August, which included the signing of a cargo development agreement between Sichuan Province Airport Group Company and Bournemouth airport owner, Regional & City Airports, aimed at boosting import and export of e-commerce goods.

Cargo First adds that a growing proportion – around 30% – of consignments from Chengdu clear customs locally in Bournemouth, bypassing Heathrow warehouses altogether for onward travel in the UK.

Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill, said: “Doubling capacity on the Chengdu route is a huge vote of confidence in Bournemouth as an e-commerce gateway to the UK. Our combination of location, no slot constraints, flexibility and speed, plus European Cargo’s growing fleet capacity, is a winning combination. With more than 20,000 tonnes of capacity on the route we also see growing opportunities for UK producers shipping goods to China.”

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