Chinese firm launches Urumqi-Islamabad air cargo route to strengthen trade with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: A new air cargo route linking Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Islamabad has been operationalized by SF Airlines, a subsidiary of one of China's largest logistics and courier companies, Pakistani state media reported on Wednesday.
China and Pakistan share deep economic and strategic ties, with both countries working together on business and trade initiatives. While large-scale projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) remain central to economic cooperation, both governments have encouraged private-sector-led initiatives to strengthen bilateral trade.
'The Urumqi-Islamabad route is the first all-cargo route launched by SF Airlines in Xinjiang to Pakistan,' the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
'It will carry cross-border e-commerce goods and other products, said the air cargo carrier,' the report continued. 'Two round-trip flights are scheduled to shuttle between Urumqi and Islamabad every week on this cargo route, providing more than 110 tons of air transport capacity weekly.'
The new air cargo route reflects a growing effort to enhance connectivity, particularly in e-commerce, logistics and cross-border trade.
China's e-commerce sector has expanded rapidly, with cross-border trade becoming a major driver of its economy.
In 2023, China's e-commerce imports and exports reached 2.38 trillion yuan ($328.3 billion), up 15.6 percent from the previous year, according to official Chinese data.
SF Airlines has played a key role in supporting this boom, operating a fleet of 89 all-cargo freighters that transport goods across domestic and international markets.
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