The first cargo plane from Changsha to Addis Ababa took off from the Changsha Huanghua International Airport at 16:20 on July 26, under the supervision of the Changsha Huanghua International Airport Customs, subordinate to the Changsha Customs. The plane carried 92.48 tons of export goods, mainly including clothing, mobile phone cases, shoes, and backpacks. The maiden flight marked the opening of the first international air cargo route between Hunan and Africa. The route is scheduled to operate three flights a week.
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. It is also home to the headquarters of the African Union and an important aviation hub in Africa. The launch of the cargo route expands Changsha Huanghua International Airport's international air route network and builds a convenient air bridge between Hunan and Africa. A direct passenger route between Changsha and Nairobi was launched in June 2019, making it Hunan's first regular direct route to Africa.
Beginning this year, the Changsha Huanghua International Airport has resumed international cargo routes successively. New ones have also been opened. Up to now, six international cargo routes, linking Changsha with Osaka, Manila, Bangkok and other places, have been resumed or opened. The airport saw 353 inbound and outbound cargo flights in the second quarter of this year, up 58% compared with the first quarter.
To support the maiden flight, the Changsha Huanghua International Airport Customs learned about the demands of the airlines in advance, offered policy guidance and information, and helped the airlines complete relevant filing and declaration work quickly. The customs authority also formulated corresponding supervision schemes to ensure the efficient customs clearance of export goods.
According to customs statistics, from January to June, the overall customs clearance time for imports and exports at the Changsha Huanghua International Airport was 15.71 hours and 0.34 hours respectively, registering the best-ever performance.
Source: en.changsha.gov.cn
