Jiaxing launches direct cargo route to Europe

A YTO Cargo Airlines B767-300F freighter departs from Jiaxing for Dhaka, Bangladesh. [Photo/Tide News]

A cargo flight operated by YTO Cargo Airlines carrying 50 metric tons of goods departed from Jiaxing Nanhu Airport in East China's Zhejiang province for Budapest, Hungary, on June 20, marking the launch of the airport's first direct freight route to Europe and its second international cargo route after the Dhaka service.

The new Jiaxing-Budapest route is scheduled to run three times a week. The direct flight takes about 14 hours and is expected to cut transit time by at least 1.5 hours for exporters in Jiaxing and surrounding areas, improving access to central and eastern European markets.

Cross-border e-commerce shipments accounted for about 90 percent of the inaugural flight's cargo, while the remaining 10 percent consisted mainly of textiles from nearby manufacturing centers.

To support the launch, Jiaxing Customs introduced a dedicated supervision plan tailored to the characteristics of cargo shipments bound for central and eastern Europe. Measures include digital inspection technologies, intelligent customs supervision systems, priority clearance channels, and round-the-clock appointment services, all aimed at reducing clearance times and logistics costs.

Since Jiaxing Nanhu Airport launched its first international cargo route, Jiaxing Customs has supervised 29 inbound and outbound cargo flights, with total freight volume approaching 700 tons.