On July 21, 2025, Hubei International Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd. was officially established in Ezhou.
As Hubei's first domestically operated international cargo airline, the company will use Ezhou Huahu International Airport as its primary operating base. Within the next five years, it plans to acquire 20 freighters and launch more than 10 intercontinental cargo routes, ultimately building a global route network.
The establishment of Hubei International Cargo Airlines is a significant step in transforming Ezhou Airport from a "solo operation" of SF Express to a "multi-faceted operation." Of course, the development of Hubei's cargo airline industry will not be smooth sailing, and potential challenges must be addressed. Currently, the airport primarily relies on freighter aircraft, resulting in relatively limited belly cargo capacity. Compared to SF Airlines, the newly established airline lacks a stable cargo source. Furthermore, cost control remains a significant challenge for air cargo operations in competition with ground transportation options such as rail and road.
Air cargo has long been considered a key indicator of a region's degree of openness and its ability to upgrade its industries. The establishment of this domestically operated cargo airline is a significant step for Hubei to seize the strategic opportunities presented by the "Air Silk Road." From its initial development driven by SF Airlines to the current layout of local air logistics companies, Ezhou Airport's cargo development is entering a new stage of "multi-engine drive," and Hubei's air logistics is ushering in new development opportunities.