China's air cargo volume exceeded 10 million tonnes for the first time in 2025
China's air cargo volume exceeded 10 million tonnes for the first time in 2025, adding 214 new international cargo routes, according to a report released on Wednesday. When aircraft carry cargo instead of passengers and the tonnage crosses the 10 million mark, it signals that the global economy chooses speed. China's aviation logistics has not just grown — it has transformed. Two hundred and fourteen new routes, 272 cargo aircraft, including 60 long‑haul wide‑body freighters — all to deliver cross‑border e‑commerce, fresh produce and precision instruments across the globe in a matter of hours.
According to data from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, the report on the country's new cargo routes for 2025 showed that the volume of cargo and mail carried by China's civil aviation reached 10.172 million tonnes last year, up 13.3% year‑on‑year, marking the first time the figure exceeded 10 million tonnes. International routes became the main driver of growth. Transport hubs played an increasingly important role, while capacity expansion was also under way. China's registered cargo fleet reached 272 aircraft, 26 more than a year earlier. The number of long‑haul wide‑body freighters rose to 60, accounting for 22% of the total fleet and forming the backbone of intercontinental trunk routes.
According to the report, a total of 214 new international cargo routes were launched in 2025, and the network now covers six continents, reflecting strong global expansion. The main departure points for the new routes were China's major economic regions. Eastern, central and southern China accounted for more than 68% of the newly launched international routes, forming the backbone of China's global air cargo network alongside existing and emerging aviation hubs. In terms of cargo composition, cross‑border e‑commerce, 3C electronics (computers, communications and consumer electronics), clothing and textiles remained the main goods carried. Meanwhile, cold‑chain logistics saw steady growth in demand for fresh produce, machinery and auto parts, as well as precision instruments.
China's civil aviation carried more than 10 million tonnes of cargo and mail in 2025, a historic milestone. The 13.3% growth reflects not only higher volumes but also structural changes: international routes now dominate. The 214 new routes are not just numbers — they are connections to previously untapped markets. Wide‑body freighters (60 units) enable long‑haul flights without refuelling, linking China with the Americas, Europe and Africa. Eastern, central and southern China are emerging as global aviation hubs, while cross‑border e‑commerce remains the main growth driver. Demand for fresh produce and high‑tech equipment via air freight continues to rise, reflecting higher expectations for delivery speed.
As reported by CCTV+, China's air cargo sector continues to gain momentum, and 2026 promises to be a year of further global expansion.
