Ezhou Airport is China’s first cargo airport

Ezhou Airport, which is dubbed China’s first cargo airport, took another step closer to launch over the weekend as SF Airlines completed a test flight.

China’s largest freighter operator, SF Airlines, is developing the airport as its main cargo hub in partnership with Hubei Province with plans for the facility to open in June.

According to sister title FlightGlobal, the flight took place on March 19 with an SF Airlines Boeing 757-200F freighter landing from Wuhan.

The airport will have a cargo capacity of 2.45m tonnes by 2025 and is also designed to have a passenger throughput capacity of 1m.

The airport has a two runway and taxiway system and a 700,000 sq m freight transfer centre.

SF Airlines will use the airport to connect its regional and international services covering Asia Pacific, Europe and the US.

The carrier has been rapidly expanding over recent years as it rides a wave of e-commerce growth.

In February, the airline took delivery of its 69th freighter – a B767F – and the fleet will breach the 70 aircraft mark later this year.

Earlier this year, the first test flight was completed at the airport.

Damian Brett www.aircargonews.net