International market remains key growth driver for China's air cargo

(ECNS) -- The international market continues to serve as a major growth engine for China’s air cargo sector, according to the Aviation Logistics Branch of the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing on Wednesday.

Statistics for July 2026 showed international air-cargo volumes kept rising while the domestic market edged down, with cross-border e-commerce goods remaining the core driving force.

Recently released July performance forecasts from A-share listed airport operators and airlines reflect a mixed market picture with both growth and decline.

Data showed that five A-share-listed airport operators — Shanghai Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Airport, Xiamen Airport and Hainan Airport — handled a combined 860,100 metric tons of cargo in July. International routes accounted for 576,000 metric tons, or 66.97% of the total, underscoring the continued importance of overseas markets to the sector.

Six airlines, including China Southern Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Juneyao Air and Spring Airlines, registered a combined cargo-and-mail throughput of roughly 449,300 metric tons in July. China Southern Airlines took the lead with 153,200 metric tons (34.1% of the total), followed by Air China at 127,700 metric tons (28.4%) and China Eastern Airlines at 95,800 metric tons (21.3%).

Cross-border e-commerce and AI hardware have become core pillars underpinning stable performance of the air-logistics market.

Nationwide, more than 41 additional round-trip flights are expected to be introduced each week. Cargo carried on these routes will mainly include cross-border e-commerce shipments, clothing, fresh seafood, electronic components and other high-value goods.