Central Airlines Commences Shenzhen-Jakarta Air Cargo Route

China’s Central Airlines has begun operating a new cargo route between Shenzhen and Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

The route is operated by Central Airlines six times a week, with a weekly transportation capacity in excess of 120 tonnes, said China’s state press agency Xinhua.

Confirmation of the aircraft used was not provided, however, cargo airline Central Airlines currently has a fleet of Boeing 737 freighters.

Inbound freight is mainly seafood from Southeast Asia, but, according to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, inbound flights will also carry tropical fruits like durians and bananas in the future.

Outbound cargo is mainly e-commerce goods, such as electronic products and clothes.

Last year, Central Airlines began operating a 777F from Shenzhen to the Middle East and Europe on behalf of Zongteng subsidiary YunExpress.

The freighter operates multiple times a week to cater for e-commerce demand. A second 777F is expected to enter service in the third quarter of 2023.

Shenzhen Airport now handles nearly 100 cargo flights to and from ASEAN countries each week.

China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and largest export market.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) became each other’s largest trading partners in 2020. China’s imports from and exports to ASEAN amounted to about $937bn in 2022.

Trade between China and ASEAN is expected to increase further with the launch of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement (free trade pact).