The Shenzhen airport has launched nine new e-commerce air routes in the first half of this year, connecting major global cities such as Paris, London, and Mexico City, according to data released on Thursday by the airport operator. This expansion has significantly contributed to a rapid growth in e-commerce trade, with a reported year-on-year increase of 68.5%.

Shenzhen’s e-commerce sector has emerged as a crucial driver of the city’s foreign trade growth. The Middle East, with a population of 500 million, has become one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The recent launch of the Abu Dhabi route on July 14 has expanded Shenzhen airport’s cargo destinations in the Middle East to seven, including Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Doha, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, and Abu Dhabi. These routes support a network of over 60 weekly flights, handling 2,200 tons of cargo.

In the first half of this year, Shenzhen airport attracted 13 airlines, including Qatar Airways, Atlas Air, Uzbekistan Airways, and Lufthansa Cargo, to enhance their operations in Shenzhen. The airport also introduced three new international cargo routes to Budapest, Kuching, and Abu Dhabi, and increased flights to 15 destinations such as Singapore, Madrid, Riyadh, Sydney, Chicago, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, Doha, Tel Aviv, and Frankfurt.

Data indicates that Shenzhen’s cargo routes now connect 18 cities across 12 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, with a weekly cargo throughput of 6,000 tons. As of mid-July, cargo throughput at Shenzhen airport reached 934,000 tons, marking a 16% year-on-year increase.

International and regional cargo throughput specifically reached 469,000 tons, up 21% from the previous year, while domestic cargo throughput rose by 11% to 464,000 tons. This growth solidifies Shenzhen’s position as a leading player in domestic cargo transportation.

The airport now hosts over 60 domestic and international cargo routes, reinforcing Shenzhen’s status as a key global logistics hub.