New Ezhou-East Midlands Route Slashes Cross-Border Delivery Times to Four Days
SF Express, Asia’s largest integrated logistics service provider, has commenced a pivotal new partnership with freighter specialist AIR ONE to dramatically expedite cross-border deliveries between China and the United Kingdom.
Under the terms of an initial one-year charter agreement, the partnership has established a dedicated air cargo link, featuring four weekly Boeing 747-400BDSF freighter services. These flights connect Ezhou Huahu International Airport (EHU) in central China with the East Midlands Airport (EMA), recognised as the UK’s primary cargo gateway in the Midlands region.
The introduction of this new route is a critical component of SF Express’s strategic European planning and global network expansion. It effectively restructures Sino-UK cross-border transit times and is set to support escalating trade and logistics demand between the two nations.
Significant Reduction in Logistics Lead Times
The inaugural flight successfully operated on November 2nd, marking SF’s first-ever all-cargo route directly into the UK. The 16.5-hour connection not only immediately fills a critical gap for direct air transport capacity from Ezhou to the UK but also significantly cuts the end-to-end cross-border logistics time between China and the UK to just four days.
This efficient and stable air channel is designed to empower key economic sectors, including high-growth areas such as cross-border e-commerce, high-end manufacturing, and the fresh cold chain, where time-sensitivity is paramount.
Mark Middleton, Head of Charters at AIR ONE, expressed the company’s pride in the agreement, stating, “This agreement reflects SF’s trust in our operational standards and strategic access to the UK market. As the leading UK-based widebody freighter operator, our goal is to continue developing strong partnerships that support cross-border trade and create sustainable logistics bridges between Asia and Europe.”
Peter Huang, Head of International Air Freight Department at SF International Business Center, reiterated the strategic importance of the launch: “Our in-depth partnership with AIR ONE not only shortens the delivery time of cross-border logistics between China and the UK to 4 days, but also empowers industries… with an efficient and stable airfreight channel.” He affirmed that SF will continue to expand its international air network to provide more intelligent and sustainable logistics solutions for global trade.
The new route reinforces AIR ONE’s strategic ambition to strengthen Asia-UK connectivity, positioning the company as a principal provider of widebody freighter capacity for China-bound markets and a key enabler of the UK’s global trade growth.
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