Etihad Cargo to establish core hub in China at Ezhou Huahu Airport
To boost operations in China and unlock trade opportunities across Asia-Pacific, Etihad Cargo has agreed with Hubei International Logistics Airport Company to establish Ezhou Huahu Airport as a core hub…
June 4, 2025
To boost operations in China and unlock trade opportunities across Asia-Pacific, Etihad Cargo has agreed with Hubei International Logistics Airport Company to establish Ezhou Huahu Airport as a core hub for its freight operations.
The agreement, which was signed on 4 June at Air Cargo Europe, builds on the carrier’s existing operations at the airport and reinforces its commitment to explore wider potential trade opportunities between China and global markets.
Acknowledging that Ezhou Huahu Airport, which opened in 2022, is already “recognised across China for its outstanding capabilities and world-class logistics infrastructure”, Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Airways, said the partnership “will amplify Ezhou Huahu Airport’s strengths across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”
Underlining the establishment of the airport as one of its core cargo hubs unlocks opportunities to advance the development of more connected logistics solutions, he added “those not yet engaging with this corridor risk being left behind.”
Dedicated cargo hub
The agreement with Hubei International will focus on increasing flight frequencies, opening new routes and building joint solutions for cross-border e-commerce, cold chain logistics and high value manufacturing. The cargo carrier currently operates four Boeing 777 freighters each week to Ezhou, Asia’s first dedicated cargo airport. Featuring 135 aircraft stands and dual 3,600-metre runways the airport has the capacity to handle 3.3 million tonnes of cargo annually.
The collaboration with Etihad Cargo is a “an important step in the airport’s global growth,” said Luo Guowei, party committee member and deputy general manager of Hubei Airport Group Company and Chairman of the Board of Hubei International Logistics Airport Company.
He also noted that the Abu-Dhabi headquartered carrier will offer new pathways for China’s exporters as they “look forward to building stronger links across continents” and explore additional opportunities with stakeholders in the UAE.
Bumper week for Etihad cargo collaborations
Further strengthening its presence in Asia, this week has also seen Etihad Airways sign a joint business agreement with China’s air cargo carrier SF Airlines. The agreement will see the two airlines jointly market and integrate their airfreight services.
In line with the agreement Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will deliver greater choice for customers by expanding network connectivity and capacity across key trade lanes. The growth of cross-border e-commerce, time sensitive shipments and specialised logistics services, will enable both airlines to offer greater flexibility and tailored solutions.
Describing the agreement as a “significant milestone” for SF Airlines, Li Sheng, VP of SF Group and chairman of SF Airlines, said: “Partnering with Etihad Airways enables us to increase capacity and gain greater market access, offering customers enhanced services. Together we will drive innovation and efficiency to meet the growing demand for high-quality logistics solutions.”
SF Airlines currently operates a fleet of 90 freighters including Boeing 737s, 747s, 757s and 767s. In February it officially took delivery of the 100th Boeing 767-300BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter). In 2024 the airline transported almost 1.2m tonnes of air cargo, exceeding one million tonnes of annual cargo volume for the first time in its history.
Etihad Cargo meanwhile operates a dedicated fleet of five Boeing 777 freighters in addition to transporting cargo in the lower deck of the airline’s passenger fleet.
