At the "Shanghai-Riyadh-Budapest All-Cargo Air Route New Launch and Air Freight Product Promotion Conference" held on November 2nd, it was announced that China Eastern Airlines' subsidiary, China Cargo Airlines' CK251 all-cargo flight, will depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 02:30 AM on November 3rd, transit through Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia, and then arrive at Budapest International Airport in Hungary. This marks the official addition of Riyadh as an international transit point to China Eastern Airlines' existing Shanghai-Budapest cargo route, which opened in July 2024. This successful launch of a fifth freedom cargo route (Shanghai-Riyadh-Budapest) in the Middle East establishes a new overseas trade channel connecting China, the Middle East, and the European market. 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Cooperation between the two sides in emerging fields such as the digital economy, green development, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and finance has yielded numerous highlights, driving continued growth in demand for air logistics. The newly added Riyadh stop precisely aligns with this growth trend. This cargo route is scheduled to operate three times a week, with a total flight time of approximately 17 hours. All flights will utilize Boeing B777F freighters, primarily transporting a diverse range of goods including international express shipments, e-commerce parcels, and general cargo. The extension of the route will further enhance the efficiency of inter-regional commodity circulation, promoting more convenient and active trade.
The use of fifth freedom rights to establish Riyadh as a new destination reflects China Eastern Airlines' strategic consideration of the value of its Middle East hub. Riyadh, located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, is not only the political and economic center of the Middle East but also a crucial gateway to the African market. Choosing to establish a transit point here allows China Eastern Airlines to cover the Middle East with its logistics services and rapidly extend its service network to key African markets. Meanwhile, according to the fifth freedom of the air rules, China Eastern Airlines can conduct cargo sourcing, unloading, and loading/unloading transshipment operations in Riyadh. This authorization will bring multiple advantages to route operations, including improved efficiency, cost optimization, and increased revenue.
China Eastern Logistics, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines in June this year, achieving efficient resource integration through a "slot swap" model. In October, China Eastern Logistics further signed a ground operations service agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines, deepening their cooperation in cargo support services. Using Riyadh as a transshipment hub, China Eastern Logistics can quickly distribute cargo to various Middle Eastern countries and key African markets, breaking the geographical limitations of traditional logistics links and expanding service coverage. At the same time, leveraging Saudi Arabian Airlines' mature market foundation and extensive route network in the Middle East, it can improve slot utilization and transportation flexibility. This cooperation not only provides customers with more cost-effective logistics solutions but also helps China Eastern Logistics expand its business advantages in the Middle Eastern and African cargo markets, further tapping into regional trade potential and achieving mutual benefit.
In recent years, China Eastern Logistics has actively served national strategies, steadfastly supported Shanghai's development as a "five centers" city, and adhered to the principle of "flying further afield, flying internationally, and flying towards emerging markets," advancing its global market layout. To date, it has achieved stable operations in 16 international destinations worldwide.
Looking ahead, China Eastern Logistics will continue to increase its route connections with major markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. It will expand into emerging markets by deepening cooperation with foreign airlines, optimize transshipment efficiency, improve its multimodal transport system, and build a comprehensive, globally radiating air logistics network. This will contribute significantly to promoting trade and economic exchanges between China and other countries and to building an open world economy.