DB Schenker establishes another significant air logistics corridor between Central China and Europe with the Ezhou-Frankfurt regular cargo route, which was officially launched in January 2025. The regular cargo route will be operated by the globally renowned Etihad Cargo, departing from Ezhou every Tuesday, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi before arriving in Frankfurt the following day. The route will accommodate a wide range of cargo categories, covering e-commerce, high-tech, electronics, industrial goods, consumer and retail products, and automotive parts. The estimated annual cargo volume is expected to reach 5,200 tons. DB Schenker will provide stable freight capacity to support Sino-European trade through this route and foster the continuous bilateral economic cooperation.
As the first dedicated cargo hub airport in Asia, Ezhou Huahu International Airport has shown remarkable growth since its inauguration in July 2022. This 4E-level international airport has currently opened 30 international and 53 domestic cargo routes, connecting major economic regions worldwide. In 2024, the airport maintained the fastest growth rate in China, ranking fifth in cargo throughout the nation, with a cumulative volume exceeding 1.2 million tons, demonstrating enormous development potential.
The unique location of Ezhou Huahu International Airport was a key factor for DB Schenker in choosing to establish the operations there. The airport is situated in Echeng District, Ezhou City, 75 kilometers away from Wuhan, and within a 1.5-hour flight radius of five major national urban agglomerations, including the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions. The three main railway lines, seven highways, and five deep-water ports surrounding the airport constitute a comprehensive multimodal transportation network, ensuring solid support for cargo distribution.
From a strategic perspective, the Ezhou Huahu International Airport region is accelerating the development of emerging industry clusters, including aviation logistics, healthcare, intelligent manufacturing, and optoelectronic information. This is highly compatible with DB Schenker’s advantages in logistics and transportation solutions, creating substantial opportunities for expanding integrated logistics services. The airport aims to develop into an organizational platform for international and domestic trade connectivity by 2025, serving as an important power driving force for high-quality regional economy development.
