When Etihad Cargo's freighter touched down in Ezhou Huahu Airport this August, it marked more than the inauguration of a new international route—it reflected a growing realignment in global air logistics.

Located in central China's Hubei province, Ezhou is not a household name internationally. Yet the newly built Huahu Airport is Asia's first and the world's fourth dedicated freight airport, designed to function as a national logistics hub. Its partnership with the cargo division of Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates'national carrier, is a milestone that could reshape supply chains between China and the Middle East.

Etihad's direct Abu Dhabi–Ezhou route is the first international air cargo service operated by a foreign airline at the airport. For businesses across sectors—especially e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, high-end manufacturing, and logistics—the implications are profound: better access to inland China, faster cross-border shipping, and deeper integration into both Chinese and Gulf markets.

“This is a strategic market for us,” said Leonardo Rodrigues, who oversees network planning at Etihad Cargo. “The new service creates more room for intermodal cooperation and enhances our operational footprint in China.”

What makes this deal particularly significant is its structure. Etihad is not simply launching new flights; it is embedding itself into a broader logistics framework by partnering with SF Airlines, China's largest private express carrier. This allows Etihad's global clients to access 25 major Chinese cities beyond the coastal gateways—Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and others—through SF's established domestic network. For global exporters and intermediaries, it opens a fast track into China's industrial heartlands.

A New Phase of Middle East–China Cargo Connectivity

While China's coastal cities have long dominated trade flows, attention is now turning inward. The rise of airports like Ezhou reflects China's national strategy to decentralize logistics capacity, reduce reliance on oversaturated coastal ports, and boost inland development. The collaboration with Etihad Cargo strengthens this ambition, creating a dual-hub model that links Ezhou with Abu Dhabi—an established logistics gateway to Europe, Africa, and the Gulf.

Etihad plans to expand its total flights to and from China from 11 in 2024 to 18 in 2025, reflecting rising demand from high-growth sectors. Cross-border e-commerce alone reached RMB 2.63 trillion (approximately USD 365 billion) in 2024, a 10.8% year-on-year increase, according to China's General Administration of Customs.

This momentum has also drawn other Gulf carriers to deepen ties with Chinese airports. Qatar Airways Cargo, for example, has significantly increased outbound volume from China—over 2,800 tons weekly—serving industries ranging from semiconductors to biotech. Their experience underscores the growing need for specialized air freight solutions that can accommodate the complexity and speed required by high-value goods.

“The landscape is shifting,” noted Mark Drusch, Chief Cargo Officer at Qatar Airways Cargo. “There's a clear uptick in demand for customized services—from digital booking to industry-specific handling.”

The UAE and other Gulf states are positioning themselves not only as transit points, but as value-added logistics hubs. This is especially relevant for European and Middle Eastern clients seeking efficient eastbound routes for pharmaceuticals, electronics, and industrial components.