East Midlands Airport welcomes another Chinese cargo airline

On Monday, Central China Longhao Airlines, a state-owned carrier based in Henan Province, introduced its Boeing 747-400 freighter jet to East Midlands Airport, reinforcing the airport's role as a crucial cargo hub for the United Kingdom. The airline aims to operate twice-weekly flights to East Midlands from Zhengzhou International Airport, as announced in a news release.

China Central Longhao, which also goes by Air Central, currently operates several smaller cargo jets within China and two Boeing 747-400s, with plans to expand the fleet. In March, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted Air Central authority to operate flights to Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles International Airport, though those services have yet to commence.

East Midlands Airport, managed by the Manchester Airport Group, aims to increase its cargo volume from 413,000 metric tons in 2025 to 500,000 metric tons by 2030, potentially boosting annual revenue by over $11.2 million. Through September, cargo volume had already risen 5% year-over-year to nearly 211,000 metric tons. The airport recently sought a new head of cargo development, attracted by its favorable conditions such as central location, minimal congestion, fewer night flight restrictions, and cargo-focused infrastructure.

This influx of Chinese cargo airlines comes as e-commerce orders surge, and capacity constraints at other airports create opportunities for East Midlands, home to major U.K. air hubs DHL Express, UPS, and FedEx.