On March 12, Nantong Airport successfully ensured the opening of the "Nantong-Tokyo Narita" and "Nantong-Osaka" all-cargo routes. With the operation of the above new routes, Nantong Airport has successfully introduced direct customers of leading e-commerce platforms such as Occita, Pinduoduo, and Xiyin on the basis of retaining its original core customers of Japan routes, which has effectively driven the export of local cross-border e-commerce companies such as home textiles, fitness equipment, textiles and clothing.
It is reported that with the execution of the flight on that day, Nantong Airport currently has 7 all-cargo direct flights to Shenzhen, Beijing, Ezhou, Zhengzhou, Osaka, Incheon, and Tokyo. The opening of the new route is an important measure for Nantong Airport to accelerate the construction of the "Tokyo + Osaka" dual-point linkage pattern in the China-Japan route market, aiming to further build its East Asian boutique route network and empower local industrial economic development. Nantong Airport said that it will achieve high-frequency connection between Nantong and Japan's Kanto and Kansai economic circles through new routes, create an "air express" model, better ensure that local photovoltaic equipment, precision instruments and other high-end manufacturing products can reach Japan directly within 8 hours, and simultaneously open up a "morning departure and evening arrival" logistics channel for cross-border e-commerce through Nantong and on the China-Japan route to serve Nantong's foreign trade import and export growth and industrial development.
The "Nantong-Tokyo Narita" and "Nantong-Osaka" all-cargo round-trip routes are currently planned to operate 3 flights per week each, and in the later stage, the round-trip to Osaka will be increased to 1 flight per day. The new route opened this time will be operated by the Sichuan Airlines A321F model introduced by Nantong Airport, and this capacity will also be officially stationed at Nantong Airport. In December 2019, Nantong Airport signed a cooperation agreement with Sichuan Airlines Logistics to introduce its transport capacity and open the first international all-cargo scheduled route. Through the cooperation between the two parties, the international cargo and mail throughput at Nantong Airport has reached 33,000 tons so far, including 12,800 tons of cross-border e-commerce cargo, which has built an efficient and convenient air bridge for Nantong's opening up and export-oriented economic development.
The opening of the new route has received strong support from Nantong Customs, Nantong Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station and other units. In order to ensure the smooth operation of the flight, Nantong Customs intervened in advance, publicized relevant laws and regulations, provided targeted business process guidance, and ensured convenient and fast customs clearance of goods; Nantong Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station provided front-line services, formulated a detailed and thorough entry-exit inspection plan, and further refined the inspection and release process to ensure the smooth start of the flight.