- SF Express has launched its first flights to East Midlands Airport from Ezhou Huahu International Airport in China, operating four times weekly, marking the sixth new cargo operator at the airport in six months.
- The route strengthens connections between central China and the UK’s leading express cargo hub, supporting regional trade and logistics growth during International Trade Week.
- East Midlands Airport continues to attract global cargo airlines, highlighting its strategic location, 24/7 operations, and growing role in international supply chains.
Another new cargo airline has flown into East Midlands Airport for the first time, with plans for four flights a week from China – making it the sixth new operator in six months.
SF Express is the largest integrated logistics service provider in China and Asia and the fourth largest globally. It flies from Ezhou Huahu International Airport which the airline developed with Hubei province as a logistics hub for China, touted as China’s first cargo-focused airport.
The additional cargo operator’s arrival comes as International Trade Week is marked to put a spotlight on British firms exporting goods and services and the importance of that to the UK economy – something East Midlands Airport plays a pivotal role in.
The new SF Express flights to East Midlands Airport provides a connection to the UK’s number one express air cargo hub and the only one serving dedicated freighter aircraft with plans to grow. The parallels between the airports don’t stop there – both are located in the centre of their countries and each serve three cities – Ezhou, Huanggang and Huangshi in Hubei, China, and Nottingham, Derby and Leicester in the UK.
The inaugural flight on Saturday by SF Express was undertaken using a chartered One Air aircraft, already operating between East Midlands Airport and China.
It comes less than a week after Etihad Cargo joined the growing number of cargo airlines choosing East Midlands Airport as their UK destination of choice. The airport is becoming better known worldwide for its strategic location, cargo expertise and 24/7 operation, making it the perfect hub for logistics firms moving goods across the globe.
It takes the total number of new cargo operators to six since May, when East Midlands Airport announced its ambitious plans for cargo growth over the next 20 years. Central Airlines, Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo, Saudia Cargo and Etihad Cargo have all started regular flights between Asia and the United Arab Emirates and the UK via East Midlands Airport.
East Midlands Airport’s Commercial Director Adam Andrews said: “East Midlands Airport has established itself as the foremost cargo airport in the UK and these new airlines show that we have really put ourselves on the radar of the global cargo community.
“As one of the major players in the sector, we’re delighted to welcome SF Express to the airport and look forward to further success as we move ahead with our long-term growth plans.”
Fang Wenjian, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK), said, “The launch of SF Express flights between Ezhou and East Midlands will further facilitate trade, support businesses on both sides, and contribute to a more resilient global supply chain.
“It reflects the strong momentum of practical cooperation between our two countries and demonstrates the vital role that logistics plays in connecting regional economies. We believe this new route marks another milestone in China–UK business connectivity.”
