China's air logistics: growth and transformation
When global cargo flows face geopolitical turbulence and fuel prices hit carriers, China's air logistics does not just stay afloat – it restructures on the fly. A 6% growth in the first half, nearly 14% on international routes, and most importantly – a structural shift: instead of low‑value mass‑market goods, aircraft are increasingly carrying semiconductor equipment and AI servers. Cross‑border e‑commerce, once the main driver, is giving way to high‑tech cargo, whose value accounts for over 53% of total air freight revenue despite a modest 7% share of volume. China is not just adapting to challenges; it is transforming the very nature of air cargo, turning logistics from a delivery service into a strategic artery of the knowledge economy.
In the first six months, China's air cargo and mail volume increased by six percent. On international routes alone, 2.32 million tonnes of cargo and mail were transported, reflecting a significant year‑on‑year growth of 13.9 percent, substantially outpacing the industry average. During the same period, cross‑border e‑commerce remained a major growth driver, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of total cargo volume. However, growth in this area has slowed due to tightening external policies. In contrast, high‑tech manufacturing sectors, particularly those related to artificial intelligence equipment, have emerged as new growth areas. Meanwhile, data showed that exports of cloud computing equipment rose by 114.4 percent year‑on‑year, while semiconductor equipment exports grew by 91.5 percent. These developments boosted AI‑related cargo volumes by more than 130 percent, even though this category accounts for only about seven percent of total air freight volume. Notably, it accounts for more than 53.5 percent of total air cargo value. To meet the growing demand for high‑value goods, China's air logistics sector has expanded its capacity. In the first half of the year, 92 new international air cargo routes were launched, adding more than 217 weekly flights and strengthening air trade links between China and key global markets. In addition, the cargo fleet has grown steadily, and major airlines have accelerated capacity deployment to increase intercontinental long‑haul operations.
Experts noted that despite global market uncertainty, China's air logistics sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, smoothly transitioning from "scale expansion" to "structural optimisation." "On the one hand, the continuous improvement of the international route network and the specialised upgrading of hub airports have strengthened the industry's foundations. On the other hand, the significant growth in high‑value‑added goods production, especially AI equipment, has successfully offset the pressure on operating costs caused by rising fuel prices and effectively reshaped the profitability structure of air cargo," said Cui Zhongfu, chief economist of CFLP.
China's air logistics continues to strengthen its position in the global supply chain. The growth of high‑tech exports, especially in AI and semiconductors, is reshaping the cargo structure, increasing its value and significance. The launch of 92 new international routes and the expansion of the cargo fleet reflect a systematic approach to industry development. Amid volatile global fuel prices and external policy risks, China is betting on optimisation and technological renewal, allowing it not only to maintain growth rates but also to enhance resilience. Analysts expect this trend to continue into the second half of the year, as demand for high‑tech goods continues to rise and China remains a key link in their production and supply chains.
As CCTV+ reports, the transformation of China's air logistics from a "quantitative" to a "qualitative" model has become a vivid example of how the country adapts to new global realities, turning challenges into opportunities to strengthen its role in the global economy.
