Cross-border e-commerce lifts air cargo at Hangzhou airport

A waiting plane loads up with cross-border e-commerce cargo. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou International Airport posted robust growth in international cargo volumes in the first half of 2025, with total imports and exports topping 112,500 metric tons, up 3.47 percent year-on-year.

Exports reached 97,500 tons, a hefty 19.61 percent increase, with cross-border e-commerce contributing over 60 percent of export volumes — cementing its role as the airport's main growth engine.

Cross-border e-commerce exports rose 25.63 percent to 68,600 tons during the period, driven by rising global demand for faster delivery services.

Overall, Hangzhou Customs has improved its efficiency through digital clearances, smart sorting and non-intrusive inspections — alongside launching a cross-border returns channel to support flexible logistics for e-commerce firms.

The airport's expanding global network — now comprising 20 active international routes including recent additions to Tokyo, Tashkent and Ostrava — is said to ensure strong export capacity.

Dedicated cargo flights to key markets like the United Kingdom have doubled in frequency, while emerging routes to Central Asia and Eastern Europe are boosting market diversity and resilience.