East Midlands Airport has expanded its international cargo network with the arrival of Central China Longhao Airlines, which has officially launched operations at the UK airport. The new connection with China began on November 2, when the carrier’s first Boeing 747-400 freighter landed after departing from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport.

The airline will initially operate twice-weekly flights between the two destinations, adding another international cargo operator to East Midlands Airport’s growing network. The new service further strengthens the airport’s role as an important entry point for freight arriving in the UK, particularly from the Chinese market.

Established in 2019 following a restructuring led by Henan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Group, Central China Longhao Airlines is a state-owned carrier based in Henan Province. It has been closely involved in the development of Zhengzhou’s international air cargo hub and operates services across Asia and into Europe.

The launch of the UK route comes at a particularly positive time for East Midlands Airport. Its cargo volumes increased by 6.3% compared with September last year, representing an additional 36,000 tonnes of freight.

This performance reflects the airport’s expanding cargo activities and its efforts to attract further international operators. As part of its longer-term development strategy, the airport has also opened recruitment for a new Head of Cargo Development to support the next phase of expansion.

Adam Andrews, Commercial Director at East Midlands Airport, welcomed the arrival of the Chinese carrier, highlighting the airport’s growing reputation in the international air freight sector.

“We’re really pleased to welcome Central China Langhao as a new airline operating to East Midlands as its gateway into the UK. Longhao’s decision to start operations here provides further evidence of the airport’s growing strength and reputation within the rapidly evolving Chinese air cargo market. We are continuing to attract more cargo operators, who understand that our great central location and available capacity helped by a 24/7 operation together make us an unbeatable proposition in the UK,” he said.

East Midlands targets 500,000 tonnes of cargo by 2030

The recruitment of a Head of Cargo Development is directly linked to the airport’s ambition to increase its annual import and export volumes from 400,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes by 2030. The expansion is also expected to generate an additional £10 million in income.

The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying and developing new commercial opportunities across the airport’s cargo operation. This will include establishing strategic partnerships with companies and organisations operating in logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing and freight forwarding, as well as with relevant trade associations.

The position will also involve gathering market intelligence, preparing commercial business cases and strengthening relationships throughout the East Midlands cargo community.

In its announcement, the airport emphasised that the appointment comes at a significant moment for its development. East Midlands Airport described the opportunity as a chance to help shape the future of what it considers the UK's largest dedicated air cargo hub.

The airport also highlighted its recent record cargo volumes, noting that its performance accounted for one-third of all air cargo growth across the UK. The continued arrival of new airlines, alongside growing investment, is reinforcing its ambitions to expand capacity and strengthen its international position.

With Central China Longhao Airlines now operating twice-weekly services from Zhengzhou, East Midlands Airport is adding another important connection to its international network while pursuing its longer-term objective of becoming an even larger centre for UK air freight.