Cargo flight linking Xinjiang and UK's East Midlands resumes

URUMQI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- An aircraft carrying 97 tonnes of e-commerce goods took off from the Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, bound directly for the East Midlands in the United Kingdom (UK). The flight marked the resumption of the cargo air route between the two destinations.

First launched in July 2025, the route was temporarily suspended due to market operational adjustments. With its revival, the Tianshan International Airport now runs 32 international cargo air routes connecting Urumqi with major commercial cities in Europe and transport hubs in Central Asia.

Five of these routes are all-cargo services flying directly to the UK. "Resuming this air route is a practical boost for businesses like ours," said Tan Deyi, general manager of the Xinjiang Muse International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. "It offers direct access to central England, cutting transshipment time, improving efficiency, substantially lowering logistical costs, and easing tight transport capacity between Urumqi and Europe."

The resumption serves to strengthen connectivity under the "Air Silk Road." Liu Jingyi, vice head of the Tianshan International Airport customs, said the move represents progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and helps maintain the stability of the international supply chain.

As a key gateway for China's westward opening-up, Xinjiang has posted strong foreign trade growth in early 2026, with total import and export value reaching 71.22 billion yuan (about 10.38 billion U.S. dollars) in the first two months, up 36 percent year-on-year.

According to Liu, the customs will continue to improve the port's business environment and ensure the stable operation of air routes by providing more efficient customs clearance services.